Carrier System and Subassembly Thereof

ABSTRACT

A subassembly is disclosed. The subassembly includes a cradle portion defining a cavity and a spine portion. The spine portion includes a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion located between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lower portion of the spine extends into the cavity by way of an opening formed by the cradle portion. The lower portion of the spine is non-removably-coupled to and free-floatingly-disposed within the cavity of the cradle portion. The intermediate portion and the upper portion of the spine portion are connected to a load-interfacing portion. A carrier system is also disclosed. An assembly is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This U.S. patent application claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplications 62/155,329 and 62/155,336 both filed on Apr. 30, 2015.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a subassembly of a carrier system, a carriersystem and an assembly.

BACKGROUND

Carrier systems are known. While existing carrier systems performadequately for their intended purpose, improvements to carrier systemsare continuously being sought in order to advance the arts.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a subassembly. The carrier systemincludes a cradle portion, and a spine portion. The cradle portiondefines a cavity. The spine portion includes a lower portion, anintermediate portion and an upper portion located between the lowerportion and the upper portion. The lower portion of the spine extendsinto the cavity by way of an opening formed by the cradle portion. Thelower portion of the spine is non-removably-coupled to andfree-floatingly-disposed within the cavity of the cradle portion. Theintermediate portion and the upper portion of the spine portion areconnected to a load-interfacing portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the cradle portion includes afirst cradle portion half joined to a second cradle portion half. Eachof the first cradle portion half and the second cradle portion halfincludes a substantially rigid body portion having a base portion and apair of guide members extending from the base portion. The pair of guidemembers includes a first guide member and a second guide member arrangedin a spaced-apart relationship defining a non-constant spacing thatdefines the cavity.

In some implementations, each of the first cradle portion half and thesecond cradle portion half is defined by a rear surface, a frontsurface, a lower edge, an upper edge, a first side edge and a secondside edge. The first guide member extends away from the base portionalong the first side edge. The second guide member extends away from thebase portion along the second side edge. The cavity is further definedby a substantially constant spacing extending between the rear surfaceof the first cradle portion half and the rear surface of the secondcradle portion half.

In some examples, the substantially rigid body portion is defined by athickness extending between the rear surface and the front surface. Thethickness is defined by a first thickness portion and a second thicknessportion. The second thickness portion is greater than the firstthickness portion. The first thickness portion is defined by the baseportion. The second thickness portion is defined by each of the firstguide member and the second guide member extending away from the baseportion.

In some implementations, the substantially rigid body portion is definedby a thickness extending between the rear surface and the front surface.The thickness is defined by a first thickness portion, a secondthickness portion and a third thickness portion. The second thicknessportion is greater than the first thickness portion. The third thicknessportion is greater than the second thickness portion. The firstthickness portion is defined by the base portion. The second thicknessportion defines a pair of opposing intermediate step portions arrangedrespectively between the base portion and each of the first guide memberand the second guide member. The third thickness portion is defined byeach of the first guide member and the second guide member extendingaway from the base portion. An inner side surface of each intermediatestep portion defines a substantially constant gap or spacingtherebetween to define a substantially linear guide channel for thespine portion.

In some implementations, each of the first guide member and the secondguide member include an outer side surface and an inner side surface.The inner side surface of each of the first guide member and the secondguide member is defined by: an upper arcuate surface segment extendingfrom the upper edge, a lower arcuate surface segment extending from thelower edge, and a substantially linear surface segment connecting theupper arcuate surface segment to the lower arcuate surface segment.

In some examples, the first guide member and the second guide member arearranged in an opposing, spaced apart relationship, converging at anangle or arranged in a substantially parallel relationship as the firstguide member and the second guide member extend from the lower edgetoward the upper edge to define the non-constant spacing between theinner side surface of each of the first guide member and the secondguide member.

In some implementations, the non-constant spacing is defined by a firstnon-constant spacing, a second non-constant spacing and a thirdnon-constant spacing. The first non-constant spacing is defined by aspaced-apart, opposing relationship of the upper arcuate surface segmentof each of the first guide member and the second guide member. Thesecond non-constant spacing is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the substantially linear surface segment of each of thefirst guide member and the second guide member. The third non-constantspacing is defined by a spaced-apart, opposing relationship of thesubstantially linear surface segment of each of the first guide memberand the second guide member. The second non-constant spacing is greaterthan third non-constant spacing. The third non-constant spacing isgreater than the first non-constant spacing.

In some examples, the opening is defined by the upper edge of thesubstantially rigid body portion defined by the base portion of each ofthe first cradle portion half and the second cradle portion half and aportion of the upper arcuate surface segment of each of the first guidemember and the second guide member that extends from the upper edge.

In some implementations, the opening is defined by a dimensionsubstantially equal to the first non-constant spacing defined by thespaced-apart, opposing relationship of the upper arcuate surface segmentof each of the first guide member and the second guide member. The firstnon-constant spacing is less than a width dimension defined by a headportion of the of the spine portion to prevent the head portion of thespine portion to be removed from the cavity. The first non-constantspacing is less than a width dimension defined by a shoulder portion ofthe of the spine portion to prevent the shoulder portion of the spineportion to be inserted into the cavity. The first non-constant spacingis greater than a width dimension defined by a neck portion of the ofthe spine portion to permit the neck portion of the spine portion to bemovably-disposed within the opening.

In some implementations, at least a portion of each upper arcuatesurface segment is further defined by a first roller member and a secondroller member. The first roller member is rotatably-disposed between thebase portion of each of the first cradle portion half and the secondcradle portion half and opposite the first guide member proximate theupper edge of the substantially rigid body portion. The second rollermember is rotatably-disposed between the base portion of each of thefirst cradle portion half and the second cradle portion half andopposite the second guide member proximate the upper edge of thesubstantially rigid body portion.

In some examples, the intermediate portion of the spine portion isremovably-connected to a substantially rigid body of theload-interfacing portion by arranging the intermediate portion of thespine portion within at least one passage formed by the substantiallyrigid body portion.

In some implementations, the upper portion of the spine portion isremovably-connected to a substantially rigid body of the loadinterfacing portion. The spine portion defines a plurality ofvertically-aligned passages. Each passage of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages is sized for receiving at least one maleportion of a plurality of vertically-aligned male portions extendingfrom the substantially rigid body portion of the load-interfacingportion for removably-connecting the spine portion to theload-interfacing portion for defining a vertical adjustment system thatpermits the spine to be removably-connected to the substantially rigidbody portion of the load-interfacing portion in a selectively-fixedvertical orientation of a plurality of vertically-fixed orientations.

In some examples, the load interfacing portion further includes asubstantially flexible portion connected to the substantially rigidbody. The substantially flexible portion includes: a base portion, afirst flexible finger portion extending from the base portion, and asecond flexible finger portion extending from the base portion.

In some implementations, the first flexible finger portion extendssubstantially diagonally away from the base portion. The second flexiblefinger portion extends substantially diagonally away from the baseportion. The first flexible finger portion and the second flexiblefinger portion divergently extend from an upper edge of the base portionof the substantially flexible portion at an angle thereby defining thesubstantially flexible portion to have a V-shaped geometry.

In some examples the subassembly includes a vertical adjustment systemconnected to the cradle portion. The vertical adjustment system includesa rail portion and a clamping portion. The clamping portion isslidably-adjustable along the rail portion.

In some implementations, the rail portion is fixed to the cradleportion. The clamping portion is fixed to the spine portion.

In some examples, the load interfacing portion further includes a firstflexible finger portion and a second flexible finger portion. The firstflexible finger portion is integrally connected to and extends away fromthe upper edge of the substantially flexible body portion of the spineportion. The second flexible finger portion is integrally connected toand extends away from the upper edge of the substantially flexible bodyportion of the spine portion.

In some implementations, the first flexible finger portion extendssubstantially diagonally away from the upper edge of the substantiallyflexible body portion of the spine portion. The second flexible fingerportion extends substantially diagonally away from the upper edge of thesubstantially flexible body portion of the spine portion. The firstflexible finger portion and the second flexible finger portiondivergently extend from the upper edge of the substantially flexiblebody portion of the spine portion at an angle.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a carrier system. The carriersystem includes a subassembly. The subassembly includes a cradle portiondefining a cavity and a spine portion. The spine portion includes alower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portion locatedbetween the lower portion and the upper portion. The lower portion ofthe spine extends into the cavity by way of an opening formed by thecradle portion. The lower portion of the spine is non-removably-coupledto and free-floatingly-disposed within the cavity of the cradle portion.The intermediate portion and the upper portion of the spine portion areconnected to a load-interfacing portion. The carrier system alsoincludes a belt connected to the cradle portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the carrier system furtherincludes a load distribution assembly connected to the belt. The belt isindirectly connected to the cradle portion by way of the loaddistribution assembly.

In some examples, the carrier system further includes a verticaladjustment system. The vertical adjustment system is defined by a railportion and a clamping portion. The clamping portion isslidably-adjustable along the rail portion.

In some implementations, the rail portion is fixed to the loaddistribution assembly. The clamping portion is fixed to the cradleportion.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly. Theassembly includes a subassembly. The subassembly includes a cradleportion defining a cavity and a spine portion. The spine portionincludes a lower portion, an intermediate portion and an upper portionlocated between the lower portion and the upper portion. The lowerportion of the spine extends into the cavity by way of an opening formedby the cradle portion. The lower portion of the spine isnon-removably-coupled to and free-floatingly-disposed within the cavityof the cradle portion. The intermediate portion and the upper portion ofthe spine portion are connected to a load-interfacing portion. Theassembly also includes a load portion connected to the load-interfacingportion. The assembly also includes a belt connected to the cradleportion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing optional features. For example, the assembly includes a loaddistribution assembly connected to the belt. The belt is indirectlyconnected to the cradle portion by way of the load distributionassembly.

In some implementations, the load portion is a backpack removably-joinedto the load interfacing portion. The backpack includes a first shoulderstrap and a second shoulder strap. The load interfacing portion isdisposed with a first passage formed by the first shoulder strap of theload portion and a second passage formed by the second shoulder strap ofthe load portion.

In some examples, the assembly further includes a vertical adjustmentsystem. The vertical adjustment system is defined by a rail portion anda clamping portion. The clamping portion is slidably-adjustable alongthe rail portion.

In some instances, the rail portion is fixed to the load distributionassembly. The clamping portion is fixed to the cradle portion.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded rear perspective view of an exemplary carriersystem.

FIG. 2A is an assembled rear perspective view of the carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is an assembled front perspective view of the carrier system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is assembled rear view of the carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a rear exploded perspective view of a load-interfacingportion of the carrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a rear assembled perspective view of the load-interfacingportion of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the load-interfacing portion of FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the load-interfacing portion of FIGS. 4A-4B.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an exemplary spine portion of the carriersystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7′ is a rear view of an exemplary spine portion of a carriersystem.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the spine portion of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8′ is a front view of the spine portion of FIG. 7′.

FIG. 9 is a rear or front perspective view of the spine portion of FIG.7.

FIG. 9′ is a rear or front perspective view of the spine portion of FIG.7′.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of one half of an exemplary cradle portion of thecarrier system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10′ is a rear view of one half of an exemplary cradle portion.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the half of the cradle portion of FIG. 10.

FIG. 11′ is a front view of the half of the cradle portion of FIG. 10′.

FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the half of the cradle portion ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12′ is a rear perspective view of the half of the cradle portion ofFIG. 10′.

FIG. 13 is rear view of a subassembly including the load-interfacingportion of FIGS. 4A-6, the spine portion of FIGS. 7-9 and a cradleportion formed by two of the half cradle portion of FIGS. 10-12.

FIG. 13′ is rear view of a subassembly including the load-interfacingportion of FIGS. 4A-6, the spine portion of FIGS. 7′-9′ and a cradleportion formed by two of the half cradle portion of FIGS. 10′-12′.

FIGS. 14A-14D are views of a lower portion of the spine portion of FIGS.7-9 movably-interfaced with the cradle portion of FIGS. 10-12.

FIGS. 14A′-14D′ are views of a lower portion of the spine portion ofFIGS. 7′-9′ movably-interfaced with the cradle portion of FIGS. 10′-12′.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly including thecarrier system of FIG. 2B and a load portion.

FIG. 16 is an assembled perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 17A-17D are views of the assembly of FIG. 16 arranged upon a user.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of carrier system according to line18-18 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 19A-19E are rear views of a portion of an exemplary carrier systemincluding a vertical adjustment system.

FIGS. 20A-20E are cross-sectional views according to lines 20A-20Athrough 20E-20E of FIGS. 19A through 19E.

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary subassemblyincluding an exemplary spine portion and an exemplary cradle portion.

FIG. 22 is an assembled plan view of the subassembly of FIG. 21.

FIGS. 23A-23B are views of a lower portion of the spine portion of thesubassembly of FIGS. 21-22 movably-interfaced with the cradle portion ofthe subassembly of FIGS. 21-22.

FIG. 24 is an assembled plan view of an exemplary subassembly.

FIG. 25 is an assembled plan view of an exemplary subassembly.

FIGS. 26A-26B are views of the subassembly of FIG. 22 including a pairof load distribution assemblies attached to first and second fingerportions of the spine portion.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure defines a plurality of exemplary subassemblies75 (see, e.g., FIG. 13), 75′ (see, e.g., FIG. 13′), 75″ (see, e.g., FIG.22), 75′″(see, e.g., FIG. 24 or 25) including a plurality ofinterconnected components. Any of the exemplary subassemblies 75, 75′,75″, 75′″ may be included in a carrier system (see, e.g., 10 in FIG. 1)that may be removably-connected to a load portion (see, e.g., L, whichmay be, for example, a backpack, rucksack or the like) to define anassembly 50. Referring to FIGS. 17A-17D, the carrier system (includingthe load portion L attached thereto) may be arranged upon a user U suchthat most of the weight of the load portion L is distributed about thehips H (and not the torso T) of the user U by the carrier system 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an exemplary carrier system is shown generallyat 10. The carrier system 10 includes a plurality of interconnectedcomponents 12-20. As seen in FIGS. 15-16, the carrier system 10 may beremovably-connected to a load portion L (e.g., a backpack, rucksack orthe like) to define an assembly 50. Referring to FIGS. 17A-17D, thecarrier system 10 (including the load portion L attached thereto) may bearranged upon a user U such that most of the weight of the load portionL is distributed about the hips H (and not the torso T) of the user U bythe carrier system 10.

As will be described in the following disclosure (at, e.g., FIGS. 13 and19A-20E), in some implementations, some of the interconnected components12-20 defining the carrier system 10 may include a vertical adjustmentsystem (see, e.g., 80 in FIGS. 13 and/or 82 in FIGS. 19A-19E, 20A-20E)for selectively arranging some of the interconnected components 12-20 ina desired spatial configuration in order to accommodate a variety ofuser body profiles (i.e., differing heights of a number of users U).Furthermore, in some examples, some of the interconnected components12-20 may be arranged/configured in a free-floating (see, e.g. FIGS.14A-14D) and/or flexible, non-rigid configuration (see, e.g., FIGS.17A-17D), thereby permitting the carrier system 10 to be twisted,turned, pitched, bent, torqued and/or extended when forces correspondingto one or more of a twisting, turning, pitching, bending, torquingand/or extending motion is/are imparted to the carrier system 10 by theuser U.

As seen in FIG. 1, the plurality of interconnected components definingthe carrier system 10 may include a load-interfacing portion 12, a spineportion 14 and a cradle portion 16; in some examples theload-interfacing portion 12 is connected to the cradle portion 16 by thespine portion 14 for defining a subassembly 75 (see e.g., FIG. 13 of thecarrier system 10). Optionally, the plurality of interconnectedcomponents 12-20 defining the carrier system 10 may also include a loaddistribution assembly 18 that is, for example, sized for arrangementover a lumbar area of the torso T of the user U. Exemplaryconfigurations of the load distribution assembly 18 are described inU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/141,369 filed on Apr. 28,2016 and are herein incorporated by reference. In some instances, theplurality of interconnected components 12-20 defining the carrier system10 may also include a belt 20.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the belt 20 is shown coupled to the loaddistribution assembly 18 by inserting the belt 20 through openings 19(see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2A, 3) formed by the load distribution assembly 18.If, however, the load distribution assembly 18 is not optionallyincluded in the design of the carrier system 10, the belt 20 may beconnected to the cradle portion 16; the connection of the belt 20 to thecradle portion 16 may be conducted in any desirable manner (e.g.,passing the belt 20 through passages formed by the cradle portion 16 orwith an adhesive, fasteners, ultrasonic welding or the like).

Referring to FIGS. 4A-6, the load-interfacing portion 12 includes asubstantially rigid body portion 22 and a substantially flexible portion24. Although the load-interfacing portion 12 may be defined by a firstcomponent (i.e., the substantially rigid body portion 22) and a secondcomponent (i.e., the substantially flexible portion 24) as seen in, forexample, FIG. 4A, the substantially rigid body portion 22 and thesubstantially flexible portion 24 may be integrated into a singlecomponent defining the load-interfacing portion 12. As will be shown anddescribed in FIGS. 15-16, the substantially flexible portion 24 of theload-interfacing portion 12 of the carrier system 10 may beremovably-joined with the load portion L for forming the assembly 50.

The load-interfacing portion 12 may comprise any desirable material. Insome instances, the load-interfacing portion 12 may include plastic. Inother examples, the load-interfacing portion 12 may include metal. Inyet other examples, the load-interfacing portion 12 may include plasticand metal (e.g., the rigid body portion 22 may include plastic and thesubstantially flexible portion 24 may include metal that imparts aspring force; conversely, in some examples, the rigid body portion 22may include metal and the substantially flexible portion 24 may includeplastic that imparts a spring force).

In some examples, the substantially rigid body portion 22 may be definedby a substantially square-shaped geometry or a trapezoidal-shapedgeometry having a rear surface 22 a and a front surface 22 b. Referringto FIG. 4A, the substantially rigid body portion 22 may be defined by athickness T₂₂ extending between the rear surface 22 a and the frontsurface 22 b.

In some instances, the substantially flexible portion 24 may be definedby a V-shaped geometry or A-shaped geometry having a rear surface 24 aand a front surface 24 b. The A-shaped or V-shaped geometry may bedefined by a base portion 25 a, a first flexible finger portion 25 bextending diagonally away from the base portion 25 a and a secondflexible finger portion 25 c extending diagonally away from the baseportion 25 a. The first flexible finger portion 25 b and the secondflexible finger portion 25 c may divergently diagonally extend from anupper edge 25 _(UE) of the base portion 25 a at an angle θ₂₅.Furthermore, the substantially flexible portion 24 may be defined by athickness T₂₄ extending between the rear surface 22 a and the frontsurface 22 b.

In some instances, the thickness T₂₄ of the substantially flexibleportion 24 may be less than the thickness T₂₂ of the substantially rigidbody portion 22. The thickness T₂₄ of the substantially flexible portion24 may be selectively sized in order to permit each of the firstflexible finger portion 25 b and the second flexible finger portion 25 cto bend, imparting a spring force to the load portion L when the firstflexible finger portion 25 b and the second flexible finger portion 25 care removably-interfaced with the load portion L (as seen in, e.g.,FIGS. 15-16).

The substantially rigid body portion 22 may be defined by a lower edge22 _(LE) and an upper edge 22 _(UE); the lower edge 22 _(LE) is arrangedopposite the upper edge 22 _(UE). The substantially rigid body portion22 may also be defined by a first side edge 22 _(S1) and a second sideedge 22 _(S2); the first side edge 22 _(S1) is arranged opposite thesecond side edge 22 _(S2). Each of the first side edge 22 _(S1) and thesecond side edge 22 _(S2) connect the lower edge 22 _(LE) to the upperedge 22 _(UE).

The substantially rigid body portion 22 may define a pair ofvertically-aligned passages 26 that are located proximate the lower edge22 _(LE). The pair of vertically-aligned passages 26 extend through thethickness T₂₂ of the substantially rigid body portion 22.

As seen in FIG. 4A, the substantially rigid body portion 22 may alsoinclude a plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28. In someinstances, the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 mayextend away from the rear surface 22 a of the substantially rigid bodyportion 22. In some examples, a first male portion 28 a of the pluralityof vertically-aligned male portions 28 may be located proximate theupper edge 22 _(UE) and subsequent male portions 28 b-28 d of theplurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 may be locatedprogressively closer to the lower edge 22 _(LE) such that a last maleportion 28 d of the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 maybe located opposite the second passage 26 b of the of pair ofvertically-aligned passages 26.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the substantially flexible portion 24 may includea plurality of vertically-aligned passages 29 that are sized forreceiving the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 forconnecting the substantially flexible portion 24 to the substantiallyrigid portion 22. Each male portion 28 a-28 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions 28 is defined by a thickness that isgreater than the thickness T₂₄ of the substantially flexible portion 24such that upon inserting the plurality of vertically-aligned maleportions 28 through the plurality of vertically-aligned passages 29, theplurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 extend beyond the rearsurface 24 a of the substantially flexible portion 24.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the spine portion 14 includes a substantiallyflexible body portion 30. In some examples, the substantially flexiblebody portion 30 may be defined by a rectangular-shaped geometry having arear surface 30 a (see, e.g., FIG. 7) and a front surface 30 b (see,e.g., FIG. 8). The substantially flexible body portion 30 may be definedby a thickness T₃₀ (see, e.g., FIG. 9) extending between the rearsurface 30 a and the front surface 30 b.

The substantially flexible body portion 30 may be defined by a loweredge 30 _(LE) and an upper edge 30 _(UE); the lower edge 30 _(LE) isarranged opposite the upper edge 30 _(UE). The substantially flexiblebody portion 30 may also be defined by a first side edge 30 _(S1) and asecond side edge 30 _(S2); the first side edge 30 _(S1) is arrangedopposite the second side edge 30 _(S2). Each of the first side edge 30_(S1) and the second side edge 30 _(S2) connect the lower edge 30 _(LE)to the upper edge 30 _(UE).

The first side edge 30 _(S1) and the second side edge 30 _(S2) definethe substantially flexible body portion 30 to have a first,substantially constant width W₁₄₋₁ extending along a first portion L₁₄₋₁of a length L₁₄ of the spine portion 14 and a second, non-constant widthW₁₄₋₂ extending along a second portion L₁₄₋₂ of the length L₁₄ of thespine portion 14. The first portion L₁₄₋₁ of the length L₁₄ of the spineportion 14 extends away from the upper edge 30 _(UE) of thesubstantially flexible body portion 30. The second portion L₁₄₋₂ of thelength L₁₄ of the spine portion 14 extends away from the lower edge 30_(LE) of the substantially flexible body portion 30.

The second, non-constant width W₁₄₋₂ defines the second portion L₁₄₋₂ ofthe length L₁₄ of the spine portion 14 to form a head portion 32, a neckportion 34 and a shoulder portion 36. The head portion 32 extends awayfrom the lower edge 30 _(LE) of the substantially flexible body portion30 and may be defined by a non-constant width W₃₂. The neck portion 34extends away from the head portion 32 and may be defined by anon-constant width W₃₄. The shoulder portion 36 extends away from theneck portion 34 and may be defined by a non-constant width W₃₆.

The non-constant width W₃₆ of the shoulder portion 36 may be greaterthan the non-constant width W₃₂ of the head portion 32, and, thenon-constant width W₃₂ of the head portion 32 may be greater than thenon-constant width W₃₄ of the neck portion 34. The non-constant widthsW₃₂, W₃₄, W₃₆ of the head portion 32, the neck portion 34 and theshoulder portion 36 collectively defines the second, non-constant widthW₁₄₋₂ extending along the second portion L₁₄₋₂ of the length L₁₄ of thespine portion 14.

The substantially flexible body portion 30 may define a plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38. A first passage 38 a of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38 is located proximate the upper edge 30_(UE) and subsequent passages 38 b-38 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38 may be located progressively closer tothe lower edge 30 _(LE). In some examples, the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38 are arranged along the first portionL₁₄₋₁ of the length L₁₄ of the spine portion 14 defined by the first,substantially constant width W₁₄₋₁. The plurality of vertically-alignedpassages 38 extend through the thickness T₃₀ of the substantiallyflexible body portion 30.

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, a first cradle portion half 16 a/a secondcradle portion half 16 b is shown; as seen in FIGS. 1, 2A and 3, when afirst cradle portion half 16 a and a second cradle portion half 16 b arejoined together, by, for example, fasteners F (see, e.g., FIG. 1), thefirst cradle portion half 16 a and the second cradle portion half 16 bcollectively define the cradle portion 16. Because the first cradleportion half 16 a and the second cradle portion half 16 b aresubstantially identical, the following disclosure refers to a “cradleportion half 16 a/16 b” when describing the subject matter disclosed atFIGS. 10-12.

The cradle portion half 16 a/16 b is defined by a substantially rigidbody portion 40. In some examples, the substantially rigid body portion40 is defined by a substantially trapezoidal-shaped geometry having arear surface 40 a and a front surface 40 b. The substantially rigid bodyportion 40 may be defined by a lower edge 40 _(LE) and an upper edge 40_(UE); the lower edge 40 _(LE) is arranged opposite the upper edge 40_(UE). The substantially rigid body portion 40 may also be defined by afirst side edge 40 _(S1) and a second side edge 40 _(S2); the first sideedge 40 _(S1) is arranged opposite the second side edge 40 _(S2). Eachof the first side edge 40 _(S1) and the second side edge 40 _(S2)connect the lower edge 40 _(LE) to the upper edge 40 _(UE).

The substantially rigid body portion 40 may be defined by a thicknessT₄₀ (see, e.g., FIGS. 12, 18) extending between the rear surface 40 aand the front surface 40 b. The thickness T₄₀ is defined by a firstthickness portion T₄₀₋₁ and a second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂. The secondthickness portion T₄₀₋₂ is greater than the first thickness portionT₄₀₋₁.

Furthermore, the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁ may define thesubstantially rigid body portion 40 to include a base portion 41, andthe second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂ may define a pair of guide members 42extending from the base portion 41. The pair of guide members 42 includea first guide member 42 a extending along the first side edge 40 _(S1)and a second guide member 42 b extending along the second side edge 40_(S2). Yet even further, as seen in FIG. 18, when first cradle portionhalf 16 a and the second cradle portion half 16 b are joined together bythe fasteners F, the difference of the thicknesses T₄₀₋₁, T₄₀₋₂, and thearrangement of the first cradle portion half 16 a disposed adjacent thesecond cradle portion half 16 b results in the cradle portion 16 forminga cavity 52, which will be described in greater detail in the followingdisclosure.

Referring back to FIGS. 10-12, each of the first guide member 42 a andthe second guide member 42 b include an outer side surface 44 and aninner side surface 46. The inner side surface 46 of each of the firstguide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b is defined by: (1) anupper arcuate surface segment 46 a extending from the upper edge 40_(UE), (2) a lower arcuate surface segment 46 b extending from the loweredge 40 _(LE), and (3) a substantially linear surface segment 46 cconnecting the upper arcuate surface segment 46 a to the lower arcuatesurface segment 46 b.

Each of the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b maydefine an upper fastener passage 48 and a lower fastener passage 49. Theupper fastener passage 48 may be formed proximate the upper arcuatesurface segment 46 a. The lower fastener passage 49 may be formedproximate the lower arcuate surface segment 46 b. Each of the upperfastener passage 48 and the lower fastener passage 49 may extend throughthe first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁ defined by the base portion 41 and thesecond thickness portion T₄₀₋₂ defined by each of the first guide member42 a and the second guide member 42 b.

The first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b arearranged in an opposing, spaced apart relationship, converging at anangle θ₄₂ as the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42b extend from the lower edge 40 _(LE) toward the upper edge 40 _(UE). Insome examples, the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member42 b define a non-constant gap or spacing S₄₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 10)between the inner side surface 46 of each of the first guide member 42 aand the second guide member 42 b.

As seen in FIG. 10, the non-constant gap or spacing S₄₂ is generallydefined by a first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁, a second non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₂, and a third non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃. The firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the upper arcuate surface segment 46 a of each of thefirst guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b. The secondnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₂ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the lower arcuate surface segment 46 b of each of thefirst guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b. The thirdnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the substantially linear surface segment 46 c of each ofthe first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b. The secondnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₂ is greater than third non-constant spacingS₄₂₋₃, and, the third non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃ is greater than thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the spine portion 14 generally includes alower portion 14 a, an intermediate portion 14 b and an upper portion 14c. The intermediate portion 14 b is located between the lower portion 14a and the upper portion 14 c.

Referring to FIG. 13, a subassembly 75 of the carrier system 10 isgenerally defined by a connection of the load-interfacing portion 12 tothe cradle portion 16 by the spine portion 14. In an example, the lowerportion 14 a of the spine portion 14 is non-removably-coupled to andfree-floatingly-disposed within the cavity 52 (see also, e.g., FIG. 18)formed by the cradle portion 16. With reference to FIGS. 13 and 18, thecavity 52 may be generally defined by: (1) opposing inner side surfaces46 of each of the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42b of both of the first cradle portion half 16 a and the second cradleportion half 16 b and (2) opposing rear surfaces 40 a of the baseportion 41 of each of the first cradle portion half 16 a and the secondcradle portion half 16 b. Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 18, the cavity 52may be defined by a substantially constant spacing S_(S2) extendingbetween the opposing rear surfaces 40 a of the base portion 41 of eachof the first cradle portion half 16 a and the second cradle portion half16 b; in order to permit the free-floating arrangement of the spineportion 14 relative the cradle portion 16, the substantially constantspacing S_(S2) extending between the opposing rear surfaces 40 a of thebase portion 41 of each of the first cradle portion half 16 a and thesecond cradle portion half 16 b is greater than the thickness T₃₀extending between the rear surface 30 a and the front surface 30 b ofthe spine portion 14.

Referring back to FIG. 13, access to the cavity 52 is permitted by anupper opening 54 formed by the cradle portion 16. In an example, theupper opening 54 is defined by: (1) the upper edge 40 _(UE) of thesubstantially rigid body portion 40 defined by the base portion 41 ofeach of the first cradle portion half 16 a and the second cradle portionhalf 16 b and (2) a portion of the upper arcuate surface segment 46 a ofeach of the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 bthat extends from the upper edge 40 _(UE).

As seen in each of FIGS. 14A-14D, because the upper opening 54 isdefined, in part, by a portion of the upper arcuate segment 46 a of eachof the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b thatextends from the upper edge 40 _(UE), the upper opening 54 may bedefined by a dimension substantially equal to the first non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₁. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 14A-14D, a largest widthof the non-constant width W₃₂ defined by the head portion 32 of the ofthe spine portion 14 is greater than the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54. Further,comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 14A-14D, a largest width of thenon-constant width W₃₆ defined by the shoulder portion 36 of the of thespine portion 14 is greater than the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54. Yet evenfurther, any portion of the non-constant width W₃₄ of the neck portion34 of the spine portion 14 is less than the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54.

As a result of the relative dimensions of the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54 ofthe cradle portion 16 and: (1) the largest width of the non-constantwidth W₃₂ of the head portion 32 and (2) any portion of the non-constantwidth W₃₄ of the neck portion 34, the neck portion 34 is permitted to bemovably-disposed within the upper opening 54 (as seen in FIGS. 14B-14C)while the head portion 32 is not permitted to pass through the upperopening 54 (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 14D) such that the head portion 32 isretained within the cavity 52. Furthermore, as a result of the relativedimensions of the smallest spacing of the first non-constant spacingS₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54 of the cradle portion 16 and:(1) the largest width of the non-constant width W₃₆ of the shoulderportion 36 and (2) any portion of the non-constant width W₃₄ of the neckportion 34, the neck portion 34 is permitted to be movably-disposedwithin the upper opening 54 (as seen in FIGS. 14B-14C) while theshoulder portion 36 is not permitted to pass through the upper opening54 and into the cavity 52 (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 14A).

Referring back to FIG. 13, the intermediate portion 14 b of the spineportion 14 is shown connected to the of the substantially rigid bodyportion 22 of the load-interfacing portion 12 for further defining thesubassembly 75 of the carrier system 10. In an example the intermediateportion 14 b of the spine portion 14 is inserted: (1) through a firstpassage 26 a of the pair of vertically-aligned passages 26 from the rearsurface 22 a of the substantially rigid body portion 22 of theload-interfacing portion 12 toward the front surface 22 b of thesubstantially rigid body portion 22 of the load-interfacing portion 12and then (2) through a second passage 26 b of the pair ofvertically-aligned passages 26 from the front surface 22 b of thesubstantially rigid body portion 22 of the load-interfacing portion 12toward the rear surface 22 a of the substantially rigid body portion 22of the load-interfacing portion 12 for connecting intermediate portion14 b of the spine portion 14 to the load-interfacing portion 12.

With continued reference to FIG. 13, the upper portion 14 c of the spineportion 14 is shown connected to the substantially rigid body portion 22of the load-interfacing portion 12 for further defining the subassembly75 of the carrier system 10. Each passage 38 a-38 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38 formed by the spine portion 14 is sizedfor receiving at least one male portion 28 a-28 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions 28 of the substantially rigid bodyportion 22 of the load-interfacing portion 12 for removably-connectingthe spine portion 14 to the load-interfacing portion 12 in onevertically-fixed orientation of a plurality of vertically-fixedorientations. The plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28extending from the load-interfacing portion 12 cooperating with theplurality of vertically-aligned passages 38 formed by the spine portion14 may define a vertical adjustment system 80 of the carrier system 10for accommodating differing heights of a number of users U.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 13, three of the male portions 28 b-28 dof the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 are shownarranged within the first three passages 38 a-38 c of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38. The provision of the ability toremovably-connect the spine portion 14 to the load-interfacing portion12 in one vertically-fixed orientation of a plurality ofvertically-fixed orientations permits the carrier system 10 to beselectively vertically extended or retracted in order to accommodate avariety of user body profiles (i.e., differing heights of a number ofusers U). The number of vertically-fixed orientations provided by thecarrier system 10 may be refined by providing an additional or lesseramount of male portions 28 a-28 d of the plurality of vertically-alignedmale portions 28 and passages 38 a-38 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38.

Although an exemplary spine portion 14 and an exemplary cradle portion16 of the exemplary subassembly 75 of the exemplary carrier system 10has been respectively described above at FIGS. 7-9 and 10-12, theexemplary subassembly 75 of the exemplary carrier system 10 is notlimited to including the exemplary spine portion 14 and the exemplarycradle portion 16 described above respectively at FIGS. 7-9 and 10-12.In an example, an exemplary spine portion 14′ is shown and described atFIGS. 7′-9′ and an exemplary cradle portion 16′ is shown and describedat FIGS. 10′-12′. The exemplary spine portion 14′ and the exemplarycradle portion 16′ may be incorporated into an exemplary subassembly 75′(see, e.g., FIG. 13′); as similarly described above, the subassembly 75′may be attached to one or more of a load distribution assembly 18 and abelt 20 for forming an exemplary carrier system 10. Similarly, asdescribed above, the carrier system 10 (including the subassembly 75′)may be removably-joined to the load portion L for forming an assembly50.

Referring to FIGS. 7′-9′, the spine portion 14′ includes a substantiallyflexible body portion 30′. In some examples, the substantially flexiblebody portion 30′ may be defined by a rectangular-shaped geometry havinga rear surface 30 a′ (see, e.g., FIG. 7′) and a front surface 30 b′(see, e.g., FIG. 8′). The substantially flexible body portion 30′ may bedefined by a thickness T₃₀′ (see, e.g., FIG. 9′) extending between therear surface 30 a′ and the front surface 30 b′.

The substantially flexible body portion 30′ may be defined by a loweredge 30 _(LE)′ and an upper edge 30 _(UE)′; the lower edge 30 _(LE)′ isarranged opposite the upper edge 30 _(UE)′. The substantially flexiblebody portion 30′ may also be defined by a first side edge 30 _(S1)′ anda second side edge 30 _(S2)′; the first side edge 30 _(S1)′ is arrangedopposite the second side edge 30 _(S2)′. Each of the first side edge 30_(S1)′ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)′ connect the lower edge 30_(LE)′ to the upper edge 30 _(UE)′.

The first side edge 30 _(S1)′ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)′ definethe substantially flexible body portion 30′ to have a first,substantially constant width W₁₄₋₁′ extending along a first portionL₁₄₋₁′ of a length L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′ and a second,non-constant width W₁₄₋₂′ extending along a second portion L₁₄₋₂′ of thelength L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′. The first portion L₁₄₋₁′ of thelength L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′ extends away from the upper edge 30_(UE)′ of the substantially flexible body portion 30′. The secondportion L₁₄₋₂′ of the length L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′ extends awayfrom the lower edge 30 _(LE)′ of the substantially flexible body portion30′.

The second, non-constant width W₁₄₋₂′ defines the second portion L₁₄₋₂′of the length L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′ to form a head portion 32′,a neck portion 34′ and a shoulder portion 36′. The head portion 32′extends away from the lower edge 30 _(LE)′ of the substantially flexiblebody portion 30′ and may be defined by a non-constant width W₃₂′. Theneck portion 34′ extends away from the head portion 32′ and may bedefined by a non-constant width W₃₄′. The shoulder portion 36′ extendsaway from the neck portion 34′ and may be defined by a non-constantwidth W₃₆′.

The non-constant width W₃₆′ of the shoulder portion 36′ may be greaterthan the non-constant width W₃₂′ of the head portion 32′, and, thenon-constant width W₃₂′ of the head portion 32′ may be greater than thenon-constant width W₃₄′ of the neck portion 34′. The non-constant widthsW₃₂′, W₃₄′, W₃₆′ of the head portion 32′, the neck portion 34′ and theshoulder portion 36′ collectively defines the second, non-constant widthW₁₄₋₂′ extending along the second portion L₁₄₋₂′ of the length L₁₄′ ofthe spine portion 14′.

The substantially flexible body portion 30′ may define a plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38′. A first passage 38 a′ of the pluralityof vertically-aligned passages 38′ is located proximate the upper edge30 _(UE)′ and subsequent passages 38 b′-38 d′ of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38′ may be located progressively closer tothe lower edge 30 _(LE)′. In some examples, the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38′ are arranged along the first portionL₁₄₋₁′ of the length L₁₄′ of the spine portion 14′ defined by the first,substantially constant width W₁₄₋₁′. The plurality of vertically-alignedpassages 38′ extend through the thickness T₃₀′ of the substantiallyflexible body portion 30′.

Referring to FIGS. 10′-12′, a first cradle portion half 16 a′/a secondcradle portion half 16 b′ is shown; in a substantially similar asdescribed above at FIGS. 1, 2A and 3 in association with the cradleportion 16 including the first cradle portion half 16 a and the secondcradle portion half 16 b, when a first cradle portion half 16 a′ and asecond cradle portion half 16 b′ are joined together, by, for example,fasteners F (see, e.g., FIG. 1), the first cradle portion half 16 a′ andthe second cradle portion half 16 b′ collectively define the cradleportion 16′. Because the first cradle portion half 16 a′ and the secondcradle portion half 16 b′ are substantially identical, the followingdisclosure refers to a “cradle portion half 16 a′/16 b′” when describingthe subject matter disclosed at FIGS. 10′-12′.

The cradle portion half 16 a′/16 b′ is defined by a substantially rigidbody portion 40′. In some examples, the substantially rigid body portion40′ is defined by a substantially rectangular-shaped geometry having arear surface 40 a′ and a front surface 40 b′. The substantially rigidbody portion 40′ may be defined by a lower edge 40 _(LE)′ and an upperedge 40 _(UE)′; the lower edge 40 _(LE)′ is arranged opposite the upperedge 40 _(UE)′. The substantially rigid body portion 40′ may also bedefined by a first side edge 40 _(S1)′ and a second side edge 40 _(S2)′;the first side edge 40 _(S1)′ is arranged opposite the second side edge40 _(S2)′. Each of the first side edge 40 _(S1)′ and the second sideedge 40 _(S2)′ connect the lower edge 40 _(LE)′ to the upper edge 40_(UE)′.

The substantially rigid body portion 40′ may be defined by a thicknessT₄₀′ (see, e.g., FIG. 12) extending between the rear surface 40 a′ andthe front surface 40 b′. The thickness T₄₀′ is defined by a firstthickness portion T₄₀₋₁′, a second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂′ and a thirdthickness portion T₄₀₋₃′. The third thickness portion T₄₀₋₃′ is greaterthan the second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂′; the second thickness portionT₄₀₋₂′ is greater than the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁′.

Furthermore, the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁′ may define thesubstantially rigid body portion 40′ to include a base portion 41′, andthe third thickness portion T₄₀₋₃′ may define a pair of guide members42′ extending from the base portion 41′. The second thickness portionT₄₀₋₂′ may an intermediate step portion 43′ between the base portion 41′and each guide member 42 a′, 42 b′ of the pair of guide members 42′. Thepair of guide members 42′ include a first guide member 42 a′ extendingalong the first side edge 40 _(S1)′ and a second guide member 42 b′extending along the second side edge 40 _(S2)′. When first cradleportion half 16 a′ and the second cradle portion half 16 b′ are joinedtogether by the fasteners F, the difference of the thicknesses T₄₀₋₁,T₄₀₋₂, T₄₀₋₃ and the arrangement of the first cradle portion half 16 a′disposed adjacent the second cradle portion half 16 b′ results in thecradle portion 16′ forming a cavity 52′ (see, e.g., FIG. 13′), whichwill be described in greater detail in the following disclosure.

Referring back to FIGS. 10′-12′, each of the first guide member 42 a′and the second guide member 42 b′ include an outer side surface 44′ andan inner side surface 46′. The inner side surface 46′ of each of thefirst guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ is definedby: (1) an upper arcuate surface segment 46 a′ extending from the upperedge 40 _(UE)′, (2) a lower arcuate surface segment 46 b′ extending fromthe lower edge 40 _(LE)′, and (3) a substantially linear surface segment46 c′ connecting the upper arcuate surface segment 46 a′ to the lowerarcuate surface segment 46 b′.

Each of the first guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′may define an upper fastener passage 48′ and a lower fastener passage49′. The upper fastener passage 48′ may be formed proximate the upperarcuate surface segment 46 a′. The lower fastener passage 49′ may beformed proximate the lower arcuate surface segment 46 b′. Each of theupper fastener passage 48′ and the lower fastener passage 49′ may extendthrough the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁′ defined by the base portion41′ and the third thickness portion T₄₀₋₃′ defined by each of the firstguide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′.

The first guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ arearranged in an opposing, spaced apart relationship; unlike the firstguide member 42 a and the second guide member 42 b described above, thefirst guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ do notconverge at an angle, but, rather, are arranged in a substantiallyparallel relationship, extending from the lower edge 40 _(LE)′ towardthe upper edge 40 _(UE)′. In some examples, the first guide member 42 a′and the second guide member 42 b′ define a non-constant gap or spacingS₄₂′ (see, e.g., FIG. 10′) between the inner side surface 46′ of each ofthe first guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′. In someinstances, each step portion 43′ between the base portion 41′ and eachguide member 42 a′, 42 b′ of the pair of guide members 42′ is alsodefined by an inner side surface 47′; the inner side surface 47′ of theopposing step portions 43′ define a substantially constant gap orspacing S₄₇′ (see, e.g., FIG. 10′) therebetween to define asubstantially linear guide channel 51′ for the head portion 32′ of thespine portion 14′.

As seen in FIG. 10′, the non-constant gap or spacing S₄₂′ is generallydefined by a first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′, a second non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₂′, and a third non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃′. The firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the upper arcuate surface segment 46 a′ of each of thefirst guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′. The secondnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₂′ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the lower arcuate surface segment 46 b′ of each of thefirst guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′. The thirdnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃′ is defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the substantially linear surface segment 46 c′ of eachof the first guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′. Thesecond non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₂′ is greater than third non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₃′, and, the third non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₃′ is greaterthan the first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′.

With reference back to FIGS. 7′-9′, the spine portion 14′ generallyincludes a lower portion 14 a′, an intermediate portion 14 b′ and anupper portion 14 c′. The intermediate portion 14 b′ is located betweenthe lower portion 14 a′ and the upper portion 14 c′.

Referring to FIG. 13′, a subassembly 75′ of the carrier system 10 isgenerally defined by a connection of the load-interfacing portion 12(described above in, for example, FIGS. 4A-6) to the cradle portion 16′by the spine portion 14′. In an example, the lower portion 14 a′ of thespine portion 14′ is non-removably-coupled to andfree-floatingly-disposed within the cavity 52′ formed by the cradleportion 16′. The cavity 52′ may be generally defined by: (1) opposinginner side surfaces 46′ of each of the first guide member 42 a′ and thesecond guide member 42 b′ of both of the first cradle portion half 16 a′and the second cradle portion half 16 b′, (2) opposing inner sidesurfaces 47′ of the step portions 43′, and (3) opposing rear surfaces 40a′ of the base portion 41′ of each of the first cradle portion half 16a′ and the second cradle portion half 16 b′. Furthermore, the cavity 52′may be defined by a substantially constant spacing (not shown butsubstantially similar to S₅₂ described at FIG. 18) extending between theopposing rear surfaces 40 a′ of the base portion 41′ of each of thefirst cradle portion half 16 a′ and the second cradle portion half 16b′; in order to permit the free-floating arrangement of the spineportion 14′ relative the cradle portion 16′, the substantially constantspacing extending between the opposing rear surfaces 40 a′ of the baseportion 41′ of each of the first cradle portion half 16 a′ and thesecond cradle portion half 16 b′ is greater than the thickness T₃₀′extending between the rear surface 30 a′ and the front surface 30 b′ ofthe spine portion 14′.

As seen in FIG. 13′, access to the cavity 52′ is permitted by an upperopening 54′ formed by the cradle portion 16′. In an example, the upperopening 54′ is defined by: (1) the upper edge 40 _(UE)′ of thesubstantially rigid body portion 40′ defined by the base portion 41′ ofeach of the first cradle portion half 16 a′ and the second cradleportion half 16 b′ and (2) a portion of the upper arcuate surfacesegment 46 a′ of each of the first guide member 42 a′ and the secondguide member 42 b′ that extends from the upper edge 40 _(UE)′.

As seen in each of FIGS. 14A′-14D′, because the upper opening 54′ isdefined, in part, by a portion of the upper arcuate segment 46 a′ ofeach of the first guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′that extends from the upper edge 40 _(UE)′, the upper opening 54′ may bedefined by a dimension substantially equal to the first non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₁′. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 14A′-14D′, a largestwidth of the non-constant width W₃₂′ defined by the head portion 32′ ofthe of the spine portion 14′ is greater than the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ that defines the upper opening 54′.Further, comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 14A′-14D′, a largest width ofthe non-constant width W₃₆′ defined by the shoulder portion 36′ of theof the spine portion 14′ is greater than the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ that defines the upper opening 54′.Yet even further, any portion of the non-constant width W₃₄′ of the neckportion 34′ of the spine portion 14′ is less than the smallest spacingof the first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ that defines the upper opening54′.

As a result of the relative dimensions of the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ that defines the upper opening 54′ ofthe cradle portion 16′ and: (1) the largest width of the non-constantwidth W₃₂′ of the head portion 32′ and (2) any portion of thenon-constant width W₃₄′ of the neck portion 34′, the neck portion 34′ ispermitted to be movably-disposed within the upper opening 54′ (as seenin FIGS. 14B′-14C′) while the head portion 32′ is not permitted to passthrough the upper opening 54′ (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 14D′) such thatthe head portion 32′ is retained within the cavity 52′. Furthermore, asa result of the relative dimensions of the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁′ that defines the upper opening 54′ of thecradle portion 16′ and: (1) the largest width of the non-constant widthW₃₆′ of the shoulder portion 36′ and (2) any portion of the non-constantwidth W₃₄′ of the neck portion 34′, the neck portion 34′ is permitted tobe movably-disposed within the upper opening 54′ (as seen in FIGS.14B′-14C′) while the shoulder portion 36′ is not permitted to passthrough the upper opening 54′ and into the cavity 52′ (as seen in, e.g.,FIG. 14A′).

Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 14C′, when: (1) the neck portion 34′ of thespine portion 14′ is movably-disposed within the upper opening 54′ and(2) and either of the first side edge 30 _(S1)′ or the second side edge30 _(S2)′ of the spine portion 14′ is arranged adjacent either of theupper arcuate surface segment 46 a′ of either of the first guide member42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ of the cradle portion 16′, theneck portion 34′ is permitted to be bent about either of the first guidemember 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ (unlike, for example thespine portion 14 as seen in FIGS. 14B-14C whereby engagement of eitherof the first side edge 30 _(S1) or the second side edge 30 _(S2) of thespine portion 14 adjacent either of the upper arcuate surface segment 46a of either of the first guide member 42 a and the second guide member42 b of the cradle portion 16 results in the spine portion 14 beingpivoted about the cradle portion 16). In order to permit the neckportion 34′ of the spine portion 14′ to be bent about either of thefirst guide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′, the spineportion 14′ is formed from a bendable material that is less rigid than,for example, the material defining the spine portion 14.

Yet even further, as seen in FIGS. 14A′-14D′, the substantially constantgap or spacing S₄₇′ defined by the inner side surfaces 47′ of theopposing step portions 43′ is slightly greater than but approximatelyequal to a greatest width of the non-constant width W₃₂′ defined by headportion 32′ of the spine portion 14′. Therefore, as seen in FIGS.14A′-14D′, the head portion 32′ may be limited to slide in asubstantially axial direction within the substantially linear guidechannel 51′, and, if any radial movement is imparted to the spineportion 14′ (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 14C′), the neck portion 34′ of thespine portion 14′ is permitted to be bent about either of the firstguide member 42 a′ and the second guide member 42 b′ as described above.

Referring back to FIG. 13′, the intermediate portion 14 b′ of the spineportion 14′ is shown connected to the of the substantially rigid bodyportion 22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′ for further defining thesubassembly 75′ of the carrier system 10. In an example the intermediateportion 14 b′ of the spine portion 14′ is inserted: (1) through a firstpassage 26 a′ of the pair of vertically-aligned passages 26′ from therear surface 22 a′ of the substantially rigid body portion 22′ of theload-interfacing portion 12′ toward the front surface 22 b′ of thesubstantially rigid body portion 22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′and then (2) through a second passage 26 b′ of the pair ofvertically-aligned passages 26′ from the front surface 22 b′ of thesubstantially rigid body portion 22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′toward the rear surface 22 a′ of the substantially rigid body portion22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′ for connecting intermediateportion 14 b′ of the spine portion 14′ to the load-interfacing portion12′.

With continued reference to FIG. 13′, the upper portion 14 c′ of thespine portion 14′ is shown connected to the substantially rigid bodyportion 22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′ for further defining thesubassembly 75′ of the carrier system 10. Each passage 38 a′-38 d′ ofthe plurality of vertically-aligned passages 38′ formed by the spineportion 14′ is sized for receiving at least one male portion 28 a′-28 d′of the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28′ of thesubstantially rigid body portion 22′ of the load-interfacing portion 12′for removably-connecting the spine portion 14′ to the load-interfacingportion 12′ in one vertically-fixed orientation of a plurality ofvertically-fixed orientations. The plurality of vertically-aligned maleportions 28′ extending from the load-interfacing portion 12′ cooperatingwith the plurality of vertically-aligned passages 38′ formed by thespine portion 14′ may define a vertical adjustment system 80 of thecarrier system 10 for accommodating differing heights of a number ofusers U.

In an example, as seen in FIG. 13′, three of the male portions 28 b′-28d′ of the plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28′ are shownarranged within the first three passages 38 a′-38 c′ of the plurality ofvertically-aligned passages 38′. The provision of the ability toremovably-connect the spine portion 14′ to the load-interfacing portion12′ in one vertically-fixed orientation of a plurality ofvertically-fixed orientations permits the carrier system 10 to beselectively vertically extended or retracted in order to accommodate avariety of user body profiles (i.e., differing heights of a number ofusers U). The number of vertically-fixed orientations provided by thecarrier system 10 may be refined by providing an additional or lesseramount of male portions 28 a′-28 d′ of the plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions 28′ and passages 38 a′-38 d′ of theplurality of vertically-aligned passages 38′.

Referring to FIG. 15, once the subassembly 75 of the carrier system 10is arranged as described above, the load distribution assembly 18 andthe belt 20 may be connected to the cradle portion 16. In an example asseen in FIG. 1, the load distribution assembly 18 may be connected tothe cradle portion 16 by passing the fasteners F through and beyond theupper fastener passages 48 and the lower fastener passages 49 formed byeach of the first cradle portion half 16 a and the second cradle portionhalf 16 b of the cradle portion 16 and into fastener passages 56 formedby the load distribution assembly 18. Once the load distributionassembly 18 is optionally joined to the cradle portion 16, the belt 20may be passed through the openings 19 formed by the load distributionassembly 18.

As seen in FIGS. 15-16, the carrier system 10 may be removably-joined tothe load portion L for forming the assembly 50. In an example, thecarrier system 10 is removably-joined to the load portion L byinserting: (1) the first flexible finger portion 25 b of thesubstantially flexible portion 24 of the load-interfacing portion 12into a first passage L_(P1) formed by the load portion L and (2) thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c of the substantially flexibleportion 24 of the load-interfacing portion 12 into a second passageL_(P2) formed by the load portion L. In an example, when the loadportion L is a backpack, rucksack or the like, the first passage L_(P1)and the second passage L_(P2) formed by the load portion L may bepassages formed in respective shoulder straps L_(S) of the backpack orrucksack.

Once the first flexible finger portion 25 b and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c are arranged within the first passage L_(P1) and thesecond passage L_(P2) formed by the shoulder straps L_(S) of the loadportion L, the first flexible finger portion 25 b and the secondflexible finger portion 25 c may be bent or flexed from a substantiallyflat orientation (as seen, e.g., in FIG. 15) to a curved orientation (asseen in FIG. 16). Furthermore, as described above, the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b and the second flexible finger portion 25 c may beformed from a plastic or metal material that imparts a spring force tothe load portion L such that the first flexible finger portion 25 b andthe second flexible finger portion 25 c may lift or raise (according tothe direction of the arrows X in FIG. 16) the shoulder straps L_(S) ofthe load portion L away from shoulders S (see, e.g., FIG. 17D) of a userU; as a result of the first flexible finger portion 25 b and the secondflexible finger portion 25 c imparting a spring force X for lifting orraising the shoulder straps L_(S) of the load portion L away from theshoulders S of the user U, the first flexible finger portion 25 b andthe second flexible finger portion 25 c may divert at least some of theweight of the load portion L away from the shoulder straps L_(S) andalong the load-interfacing portion 12, the spine portion 14 and cradleportion 16 and ultimately to the hips H (see, e.g., FIGS. 17A-17D) ofthe user U.

Although the carrier system 10 has been heretofore described to includeone vertical adjustment system 80 at FIG. 13 defined by the plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions 28 extending from the load-interfacingportion 12 cooperating with the plurality of vertically-aligned passages38 formed by the spine portion 14, the carrier system 10 is not limitedto the vertical adjustment system 80. In an example, an alternative (or,in some configurations, an additional) vertical adjustment system isshown generally at 82 in FIGS. 19A-20E.

Furthermore, the vertical adjustment system 80 may be referred to as a“coarse” vertical adjustment system due to the pre-defined locations ofthe plurality of vertically-aligned male portions 28 extending from theload-interfacing portion 12 and the pre-defined locations of theplurality of vertically-aligned passages 38 formed by the spine portion14. Conversely, the vertical adjustment system 82, which includes a railportion 84 and a clamping portion 86, may be referred to as a “fine”vertical adjustment system due to the cooperation of the rail portion 84and the clamping portion 86 (i.e., the clamping portion 86 isslidably-adjustable along the length of the rail portion 84 to aninfinite number of positions bound by opposing ends of the rail portion84).

In use, the coarse vertical adjustment system 80 is manipulated (foraccommodating an approximated height of the user U) prior to disposingthe carrier system 10 upon the user U (because once the carrier system10 is arranged upon the user U, the coarse vertical adjustment system 80is located opposite the user's back, thereby making it difficult for theuser U to manipulate the coarse vertical adjustment system 80) whereas,conversely, the fine vertical adjustment system 82 may be manipulated atany time before or after the carrier system 10 is disposed upon the userU. In some instances, as described above, the carrier system 10 mayinclude both of the coarse vertical adjustment system 80 and the finevertical adjustment system 82; in the event that both of the course andfine vertical adjustment systems 80, 82 are provided by the carriersystem 10, the carrier system 10 may be vertically adjusted as follows:(1) firstly, the user U may select a first vertical adjustment of thecoarse vertical adjustment system 80 as described above by arranging oneor more of the male portions 28 a-28 d of the plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions 28 within one or more of the passages38 a-38 d of the plurality of vertically-aligned passages 38, then (2)secondly, the user U may dispose the carrier system 10 upon her/herperson, and then (3) if the user U determines that the selected verticaladjustment of the carrier system 10 provided by the selected arrangementof the coarse vertical adjustment system 80 needs to be “fine-tuned” oradjusted “on the fly” after the carrier system 10 has already beendisposed upon his/her person, the user U may manipulate the finevertical adjustment system 82 for further vertically adjusting thecarrier system 10 while the carrier system 10 is disposed upon his/herperson. Manipulation of the fine vertical adjustment system 82 isdescribed in greater detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 20A-20E, in an example, the rail portion 84 may befixed to the load distribution assembly 18, and the clamping portion 86may be fixed to the cradle portion 16. However, in implementations whenthe load distribution assembly 18 is not optionally included in thedesign of the carrier system 10, the rail portion 84 may be fixed to thecradle portion 16, and the clamping portion 86 may be fixed to the spineportion 14. In the exemplary implementation seen at FIGS. 20A-20E, therail portion 84 may be attached to the load distribution assembly 18with an adhesive, fasteners, ultrasonic welding or the like).

As seen in FIGS. 20A-20E, the clamping portion 86 may be attached to thefront surface 40 b of the first cradle portion half 16 a of the cradleportion 16. The clamping portion 86 may be attached to the front surface40 b of the first cradle portion half 16 a with an adhesive, fasteners,ultrasonic welding or the like).

The clamping portion 86 may include a non-movable portion 86 a (that isattached to the front surface 40 b of the first cradle portion half 16a) and a movable portion 86 b. The movable portion 86 b may be connectedto the non-movable portion 86 a by one or more pins 88. One or morebiasing members 90 (e.g., one or more springs) may be disposed betweenopposing surfaces of the non-movable portion 86 a and the movableportion 86 b for biasing the movable portion 86 b away from thenon-movable portion 86 a.

Referring to FIGS. 19A-19E and 20A-20E, the clamping portion 86 mayfurther include a cam lever 92. The cam lever 92 is rotatably connectedto and interfaced with the movable portion 86 b. The cam lever 92 may berotatably adjusted for arranging the clamping portion 86 in one of aclamped orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 19A, 19E) and an unclampedorientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 19B-19D).

When the cam lever 92 is rotated for arranging the clamping portion 86in the clamped orientation as seen in FIGS. 19A and 19E, the one or morebiasing members 90 is/are compressed between opposing surfaces of thenon-movable portion 86 a and the movable portion 86 b, and, as a result,the clamping portion 86 is selectively vertically fixed with respect tothe rail portion 84. Conversely, as seen in FIGS. 19B-19D, when the camlever 92 is rotated for arranging the clamping portion 86 in theunclamped orientation, the one or more biasing members 90 is/arepermitted to expand, thereby urging the movable portion 86 b away fromthe non-movable portion 86 a, and, as a result, the clamping portion 86is permitted to be selectively vertically adjusted relative to the railportion 84. Accordingly, when a user U wishes to utilize the finevertical adjustment system 82 for vertically adjusting the carriersystem 10, the user U may: (1) rotate the cam lever 92 for selectivelyadjusting the clamping portion 86 from a clamped orientation to anunclamped orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 19A-19B), (2) vertically adjustthe carrier system 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 19B-19D) as a result of theclamping portion 86 being permitted to be selectively verticallyadjusted relative to the rail portion 84, and (3) rotate the cam lever92 for selectively adjusting the clamping portion 86 from the unclampedorientation back to the clamped orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 19D-19E).

In some instances, the rail portion 84 may be defined by a dovetailgeometry. In other examples, the rail portion 84 may be defined by aPicatinny rail geometry.

As seen in FIGS. 21-22, a plurality of interconnected componentsdefining an exemplary subassembly 75″ is shown. The subassembly 75″ mayinclude a spine portion 14″ and a cradle portion 16″. Although thesubassembly 75″ does not include a separate component defining aload-interfacing portion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1),the subassembly 75″ may be considered to define a load-interfacingportion (see, e.g., a first flexile finger portion 25 b″ and a secondflexible finger portion 25 c″) integrally connected to (or integrallyextending from) the spine portion 14″.

Optionally, the plurality of interconnected components may also includea load distribution assembly (see, e.g., reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1)and a belt (see, e.g., reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1) for defining acarrier system 10. If included, the load distribution assembly 18 may besized for arrangement over a lumbar area of the torso T of the user U.With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the belt 20 is shown coupled to the loaddistribution assembly 18 by inserting the belt 20 through openings 19(see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2A, 3) formed by the load distribution assembly 18.If, however, the load distribution assembly 18 is not optionallyincluded in the design of the carrier system 10, the belt 20 may beconnected to the cradle portion 16″; the connection of the belt 20 tothe cradle portion 16″ may be conducted in any desirable manner (e.g.,passing the belt 20 through passages formed by the cradle portion 16″ orwith an adhesive, fasteners, ultrasonic welding or the like).

Referring to FIG. 21, the spine portion 14″ includes a substantiallyflexible body portion 30″. In some examples, the substantially flexiblebody portion 30″ may be defined by a rectangular-shaped geometry havinga rear surface 30 a″ and a front surface 30 b″. The substantiallyflexible body portion 30″ may be defined by a thickness T₃₀″ extendingbetween the rear surface 30 a″ and the front surface 30 b″.

The substantially flexible body portion 30″ may be defined by a loweredge 30 _(LE)″ and an upper edge 30 _(UE)″; the lower edge 30 _(LE)″ isarranged opposite the upper edge 30 _(UE)″. The substantially flexiblebody portion 30″ may also be defined by a first side edge 30 _(S1)″ anda second side edge 30 _(S2)″; the first side edge 30 _(S1)″ is arrangedopposite the second side edge 30 _(S2)″. Each of the first side edge 30_(S1)″ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)″ connect the lower edge 30_(LE)″ to the upper edge 30 _(UE)″.

The first side edge 30 _(S1)″ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)″ definethe substantially flexible body portion 30″ to have a first,substantially constant width W₁₄₋₁″ extending along a first portionL₁₄₋₁″ of a length L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″ and a second,non-constant width W₁₄₋₂″ extending along a second portion L₁₄₋₂″ of thelength L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″. The first portion L₁₄₋₁″ of thelength L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″ extends away from the upper edge 30_(UE)″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30″. The secondportion L₁₄₋₂″ of the length L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″ extends awayfrom the lower edge 30 _(LE)″ of the substantially flexible body portion30″.

The second, non-constant width W₁₄₋₂″ defines the second portion L₁₄₋₂″of the length L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″ to form a head portion 32″,a neck portion 34″ and a shoulder portion 36″. The head portion 32″extends away from the lower edge 30 _(LE)″ of the substantially flexiblebody portion 30″ and may be defined by a non-constant width W₃₂″. Theneck portion 34″ extends away from the head portion 32″ and may bedefined by a non-constant width W₃₄″. The shoulder portion 36″ extendsaway from the neck portion 34″ and may be defined by a non-constantwidth W₃₆″.

The non-constant width W₃₆″ of the shoulder portion 36″ may be greaterthan the non-constant width W₃₂″ of the head portion 32″, and, thenon-constant width W₃₂″ of the head portion 32″ may be greater than thenon-constant width W₃₄″ of the neck portion 34″. The non-constant widthsW₃₂″, W₃₄″, W₃₆″ of the head portion 32″, the neck portion 34″ and theshoulder portion 36″ collectively defines the second, non-constant widthW₁₄₋₂″ extending along the second portion L₁₄₋₂″ of the length L₁₄″ ofthe spine portion 14″.

Unlike the exemplary spine portions 14, 14′ described above at FIGS. 7-9and 7′-9′, the substantially flexible body portion 30″ of the spineportion 14″ does not define a plurality of vertically-aligned passages(see, e.g., reference numerals 38 and 38′) for removably-connecting thespine portion 14″ to a load-interfacing portion (see, e.g., referencenumerals 12 and 12′); rather, the spine portion 14″ integrally includesa first flexible finger portion 25 b″ extending diagonally away from theupper edge 30 _(UE)″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30″ ofthe spine portion 14″ and a second flexible finger portion 25 c″extending diagonally away from the upper edge 30 _(UE)″ of thesubstantially flexible body portion 30″ of the spine portion 14″ (asdescribed above, substantially equivalent structure defining aload-interfacing portion is provided by the first flexible fingerportion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c″ areintegrally connected to (or integrally extending from) the spine portion14″). The first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c″ may divergently diagonally extend from the upperedge 30 _(UE)″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30″ of thespine portion 14″ at an angle θ₂₅″. Furthermore, each of the firstflexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c″ may be defined by a thickness substantially equal to the thicknessT₃₀″ extending between the rear surface 30 a″ and the front surface 30b″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30″ of the spine portion14″. The thickness T₃₀″ of the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ andthe second flexible finger portion 25 c″ may be selectively sized inorder to permit each of the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c″ to bend, imparting a spring forceto a load portion L (see, e.g., FIG. 15) when the first flexible fingerportion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c″ areremovably-interfaced with the load portion L (as similarly seen in,e.g., FIGS. 15-16). Yet even further, as seen in FIG. 21, the firstflexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c″ may define a third portion L₁₄₋₃″ of the length L₁₄″ of the spineportion 14″ that extends away from the first portion L₁₄₋₁″ of thelength L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″.

As described above, the subassembly 75″ may be a portion of the carriersystem 10 that may be removably-joined to the load portion L for formingthe assembly 50. In an example, the carrier system 10 (including thesubassembly 75″) is removably-joined to the load portion L by inserting:(1) the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ of the spine portion 14″into a first passage L_(P1) formed by the load portion L and (2) thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c″ of the spine portion 14″ into asecond passage L_(P2) formed by the load portion L. In an example, whenthe load portion L is a backpack, rucksack or the like, the firstpassage L_(P1) and the second passage L_(P2) formed by the load portionL may be passages formed in respective shoulder straps L_(S) of thebackpack or rucksack.

As seen in FIG. 21, a first cradle portion half 16 a″ and a secondcradle portion half 16 b″ of the cradle portion 16″ are shown. The firstcradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half 16 b″ maybe joined together, by, for example, fasteners F extending from one ofthe first cradle portion half 16 a″ or the second cradle portion half 16b″. In some instances, as described in the following disclosure, thefirst cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half 16 b″may be defined to have some similarities; therefore, the followingdisclosure may refer to a “cradle portion half 16 a”/16 b″ “whendescribing similarly-related subject matter of the first cradle portionhalf 16 a” and the second cradle portion half 16 b″.

The cradle portion half 16 a″/16 b″ is defined by a substantially rigidbody portion 40″. In some examples, the substantially rigid body portion40″ is defined by a substantially trapezoidal-shaped geometry having arear surface 40 a″ and a front surface 40 b″. The substantially rigidbody portion 40″ may be defined by a lower edge 40 _(LE)″ and an upperedge 40 _(UE)″; the lower edge 40 _(LE)″ is arranged opposite the upperedge 40 _(UE)″.

The substantially rigid body portion 40″ may also be defined by a firstside edge 40 _(S1)″ and a second side edge 40 _(S2)″; the first sideedge 40 _(S1)″ is arranged opposite the second side edge 40 _(S2)″. Eachof the first side edge 40 _(S1)″ and the second side edge 40 _(S2)″connect the lower edge 40 _(LE)″ to the upper edge 40 _(UE)″.

The substantially rigid body portion 40″ may be defined by a thicknessT₄₀″ extending between the rear surface 40 a″ and the front surface 40b″. The thickness T₄₀″ of the first cradle portion half 16 a″ is definedby a first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁″ and a second thickness portionT₄₀₋₂″. The second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂″ is greater than the firstthickness portion T₄₀₋₁″. The second cradle portion half 16 b″, however,is defined by the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁″.

In relation to the first cradle portion half 16 a″, the first thicknessportion T₄₀₋₁″ may define the substantially rigid body portion 40″ toinclude a base portion 41″, and the second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂″ maydefine a pair of guide members 42″ extending from the base portion 41″.The pair of guide members 42″ include a first guide member 42 a″extending along the first side edge 40 _(S1)″ and a second guide member42 b″ extending along the second side edge 40 _(S2)″. Yet even further,when first cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half16 b″ are joined together by the fasteners F extending from the secondcradle portion half 16 a″, the difference of the thicknesses T₄₀₋₁″,T₄₀₋₂″, and the arrangement of the first cradle portion half 16 a″disposed adjacent the second cradle portion half 16 b″ results in thecradle portion 16″ forming a cavity 52 (see, e.g., FIG. 22), which willbe described in greater detail in the following disclosure.

In relation to the second cradle portion half 16 b″, the first thicknessportion T₄₀₋₁″ may define the substantially rigid body portion 40″ toinclude a base portion 41″ but not a pair of guide members which wouldbe otherwise defined by a second thickness portion (see, e.g., T₄₀₋₂″described above with respect to the first cradle portion half 16 a″).Rather, the second cradle portion half 16 b″ includes a plurality (e.g.,four) fasteners extending from the base portion 41″.

Each of the first guide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″include an outer side surface 44″ and an inner side surface 46″. Theinner side surface 46″ of each of the first guide member 42 a″ and thesecond guide member 42 b″ is defined by: (1) an upper arcuate surfacesegment 46 a″ extending from the upper edge a lower arcuate surfacesegment 46 b″ extending from the lower edge 40 _(LE)″, 40 _(UE)″, (2)and (3) a substantially linear surface segment 46 c″ connecting theupper arcuate surface segment 46 a″ to the lower arcuate surface segment46 b″.

Each of the first guide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″may define an upper fastener passage 48″ and a lower fastener passage49″. The upper fastener passage 48″ may be formed proximate the upperarcuate surface segment 46 a″. The lower fastener passage 49″ may beformed proximate the lower arcuate surface segment 46 b″. Each of theupper fastener passage 48″ and the lower fastener passage 49″ may extendthrough the first thickness portion T₄₀₋₁″ defined by the base portion41″ and the second thickness portion T₄₀₋₂″ defined by each of the firstguide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″. As seen in FIG.21, the fasteners F extending from the base portion 41″ of the secondcradle portion half 16 b″ are axially aligned with the upper fastenerpassages 48″ and the lower fastener passages 49″.

The first guide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″ arearranged in an opposing, spaced apart relationship, converging at anangle (see, e.g., in a substantially similar manner, reference numeralθ₄₂ at FIG. 10) as the first guide member 42 a″ and the second guidemember 42 b″ extend from the lower edge 40 _(LE)″ toward the upper edge40 _(UE)″. In some examples, the first guide member 42 a″ and the secondguide member 42 b″ define a non-constant gap or spacing (see, e.g., in asubstantially similar manner, reference numeral S₄₂ at FIG. 10) betweenthe inner side surface 46″ of each of the first guide member 42 a″ andthe second guide member 42 h″.

The non-constant gap or spacing is generally defined by a firstnon-constant spacing (see, e.g., S₄₂₋₁ at FIG. 23A-23B), a secondnon-constant spacing (see, e.g., in a substantially similar manner,reference numeral S₄₂₋₂ at FIG. 10) and a third non-constant spacing(see, e.g., in a substantially similar manner, reference numeral S₄₂₋₃at FIG. 10). The first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ is defined by aspaced-apart, opposing relationship of the upper arcuate surface segment46 a″ of each of the first guide member 42 a″ and the second guidemember 42 b″. The second non-constant spacing is defined by aspaced-apart, opposing relationship of the lower arcuate surface segment46 b″ of each of the first guide member 42 a″ and the second guidemember 42 b″. The third non-constant spacing is defined by aspaced-apart, opposing relationship of the substantially linear surfacesegment 46 c″ of each of the first guide member 42 a″ and the secondguide member 42 h″. The second non-constant spacing is greater thanthird non-constant spacing, and, the third non-constant spacing isgreater than the first non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁.

As see in FIG. 21, the spine portion 14″ generally includes a lowerportion 14 a″, an intermediate portion 14 b″ and an upper portion 14 c″.The intermediate portion 14 b″ is located between the lower portion 14a″ and the upper portion 14 c″.

Referring to FIG. 22, the subassembly 75″ is generally defined by aconnection of the spine portion 14″ to the cradle portion 16″. In anexample, the lower portion 14 a″ of the spine portion 14″ isnon-removably-coupled to and free-floatingly-disposed within the cavity52″ formed by the cradle portion 16″. The cavity 52″ may be generallydefined by: (1) opposing inner side surfaces 46″ of each of the firstguide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″ of both of thefirst cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half 16 b″and (2) opposing rear surfaces 40 a″ of the base portion 41″ of each ofthe first cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half16 b″. Furthermore, the cavity 52″ may be defined by a substantiallyconstant spacing (see, e.g., in a substantially similar manner,reference numeral S₅₂ at FIG. 18) extending between the opposing rearsurfaces 40 a″ of the base portion 41″ of each of the first cradleportion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half 16 b″; in order topermit the free-floating arrangement of the spine portion 14″ relativethe cradle portion 16″, the substantially constant spacing extendingbetween the opposing rear surfaces 40 a″ of the base portion 41″ of eachof the first cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradle portionhalf 16 b″ is greater than the thickness T₃₀″ extending between the rearsurface 30 a″ and the front surface 30 b″ of the spine portion 14″.

Access to the cavity 52″ is permitted by an upper opening 54″ formed bythe cradle portion 16″. In an example, the upper opening 54″ is definedby: (1) the upper edge 40 _(UE)″ of the substantially rigid body portion40″ defined by the base portion 41″ of each of the first cradle portionhalf 16 a″ and the second cradle portion half 16 b″ and (2) a portion ofthe upper arcuate surface segment 46 a″ of each of the first guidemember 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″ that extends from theupper edge 40 _(UE)″.

In an example, as seen in FIGS. 21-22, at least a portion of each upperarcuate surface segment 46 a″ may be further defined by: (1) a firstroller member 53 a″ rotatably-disposed between the base portion 41″ ofeach of the first cradle portion half 16 a″ and the second cradleportion half 16 b″ and opposite the first guide member 42 a″ proximatethe upper edge 40 _(UE)″ of the substantially rigid body portion 40″ and(2) a second roller member 53 b″ rotatably-disposed between the baseportion 41″ of each of the first cradle portion half 16 a″ and thesecond cradle portion half 16 b″ and opposite the second guide member 42b″ proximate the upper edge 40 _(UE)″ of the substantially rigid bodyportion 40″. Each of the first roller member 53 a″ and the second rollermember 53 b″ may be defined by a thickness approximately equal to thesecond thickness portion T₄₀₋₂″ defined by each of the first guidemember 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″. Furthermore, as seen inFIG. 21, each of the first roller member 53 a″ and the second rollermember 53 b″ may include a central passage 55″ that is axially alignedwith the upper fastener passage 48″ of each of the first guide member 42a″ and the second guide member 42 b″ to permit the fastener F extendingfrom the base portion 41″ of the second cradle portion half 16 b″ to beaxially extended there-through.

As seen in each of FIGS. 23A-23B, because the upper opening 54″ isdefined, in part, by the first roller member 53 a″, the second rollermember 53 b″ and a portion of the upper arcuate segment 46 a″ of each ofthe first guide member 42 a″ and the second guide member 42 b″ thatextends from the upper edge 40 _(UE)″, the upper opening 54″ may bedefined by a dimension substantially equal to the first non-constantspacing S₄₂₋₁″. Comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 23A-23B, a largest widthof the non-constant width W₃₂″ defined by the head portion 32″ of the ofthe spine portion 14″ is greater than the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁″ that defines the upper opening 54″. Further,comparatively, as seen in FIGS. 23A-23B, a largest width of thenon-constant width W₃₆″ defined by the shoulder portion 36″ of the ofthe spine portion 14″ is greater than the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁″ that defines the upper opening 54″. Yet evenfurther, any portion of the non-constant width W₃₄″ of the neck portion34″ of the spine portion 14″ is less than the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁″ that defines the upper opening 54″.

As a result of the relative dimensions of the smallest spacing of thefirst non-constant spacing S_(42-1″) that defines the upper opening 54″of the cradle portion 16″ and: (1) the largest width of the non-constantwidth W₃₂″ of the head portion 32″ and (2) any portion of thenon-constant width W₃₄″ of the neck portion 34″, the neck portion 34″ ispermitted to be movably-disposed within the upper opening 54″ (as seenin FIGS. 23A-23B) while the head portion 32″ is not permitted to passthrough the upper opening 54″ (as seen in, e.g., FIG. 23B) such that thehead portion 32″ is retained within the cavity 52″. Furthermore, as aresult of the relative dimensions of the smallest spacing of the firstnon-constant spacing S₄₂₋₁ that defines the upper opening 54″ of thecradle portion 16″ and: (1) the largest width of the non-constant widthW₃₆″ of the shoulder portion 36″ and (2) any portion of the non-constantwidth W₃₄″ of the neck portion 34″, the neck portion 34″ is permitted tobe movably-disposed within the upper opening 54″ (as seen in FIGS.23A-23B) while the shoulder portion 36″ is not permitted to pass throughthe upper opening 54″ and into the cavity 52″ (as seen in, e.g., FIG.23A).

The spine portion 14 may comprise any desirable material. In someinstances, the spine portion 14 may include plastic. In other examples,the spine portion 14 may include metal. In yet other examples, the spineportion 14 may include plastic and metal (e.g., the first portion L₁₄₋₁″and the second portion L₁₄₋₂″ of the length L₁₄″ of the spine portion14″ may include plastic and the third portion L₁₄₋₃″ defining the firstflexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c″ may include metal that imparts a spring force; conversely, in someexamples, the first portion L₁₄₋₁″ and the second portion L₁₄₋₂″ of thelength L₁₄″ of the spine portion 14″ may include metal and the thirdportion L₁₄₋₃″ defining the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c″ may include plastic that imparts aspring force).

Referring to FIGS. 21-22, each of the first flexible finger portion 25b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c″ may include at least onepassage 57″ extending through the thickness T₃₀″ of each of the firstflexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c″. The at least one passage 57″ may provide any desirable number offunctions; in an example, the at least one passage 57″ may decrease theweight of each of the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and the secondflexible finger portion 25 c″ while permitting each of the firstflexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c″ to have an increased bendability as a result of the absence ofmaterial in the regions of the at least one passage 57″ formed by eachof the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c″. In another example, the at least one passage 57″may provide a connection point for connecting each of the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c″ toanother object (e.g., a load distribution assembly 18 arranged over ashoulder region S of a user U as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 26A-26B byinserting a connecting belt 20 there-through.

As seen in FIG. 25, a plurality of interconnected components defining anexemplary subassembly 75′ is shown. The subassembly 75′″ may include aspine portion 14′″ and a cradle portion 16/16″. Although the subassembly75′″ does not include a separate component defining a load-interfacingportion (see, e.g., reference numeral 12 in FIG. 1), the subassembly75′″ may be considered to define a load-interfacing portion (see, e.g.,a first flexile finger portion 25 b′″ and a second flexible fingerportion 25 c′″) integrally connected to (or integrally extending from)the spine portion 14′″.

Optionally, the plurality of interconnected components may also includea load distribution assembly (see, e.g., reference numeral 18 in FIG. 1)and a belt (see, e.g., reference numeral 20 in FIG. 1) for defining acarrier system 10. If included, the load distribution assembly 18 may besized for arrangement over a lumbar area of the torso T of the user U.With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the belt 20 is shown coupled to the loaddistribution assembly 18 by inserting the belt 20 through openings 19(see, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2A, 3) formed by the load distribution assembly 18.If, however, the load distribution assembly 18 is not optionallyincluded in the design of the carrier system 10, the belt 20 may beconnected to the cradle portion 16/16″; the connection of the belt 20 tothe cradle portion 16/16″ may be conducted in any desirable manner(e.g., passing the belt 20 through passages formed by the cradle portion16/16″ or with an adhesive, fasteners, ultrasonic welding or the like).

The spine portion 14′″ includes a substantially flexible body portion30′. In some examples, the substantially flexible body portion 30′″ maybe defined by a rectangular-shaped geometry having a rear surface 30 a′and a front surface 30 b′″. The substantially flexible body portion 30′″may be defined by a thickness (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals T₃₀, T₃₀′ or T₃₀″ in the preceding writtendescription and FIGS.) extending between the rear surface 30 a′″ and thefront surface 30 b′″.

The substantially flexible body portion 30′″ may be defined by a loweredge 30 _(LE)′″ and an upper edge 30 _(UE)′″; the lower edge 30 _(LE)′″is arranged opposite the upper edge 30 _(UE)′″. The substantiallyflexible body portion 30′″ may also be defined by a first side edge 30_(S1)′″ and a second side edge 30 _(S2)′″; the first side edge 30_(S1)′″ is arranged opposite the second side edge 30 _(S2)′″. Each ofthe first side edge 30 _(S1)″′ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)″′connect the lower edge 30 _(LE)′″ to the upper edge 30 _(UE)′″.

The first side edge 30 _(S1)′″ and the second side edge 30 _(S2)′″define the substantially flexible body portion 30′″ to have a first,substantially constant width (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals W₁₄₋₁, W₁₄₋₁′ or W₁₄₋₁″ in the preceding writtendescription and FIGS.) extending along a first portion L₁₄₋₁′″ of alength L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″ and a second, non-constant width(see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals W₁₄₋₂, W₁₄₋₂′ orW₁₄₋₂″ in the preceding written description and FIGS.) extending along asecond portion L₁₄₋₂′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″.The first portion L₁₄₋₁′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″may extend away from the upper edge 30 _(UE)′″ of the substantiallyflexible body portion 30′″. The second portion L₁₄₋₂′″ of the lengthL₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″ may extend away from the lower edge 30_(LE)′″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30′″.

The second, non-constant width (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals W₁₄₋₂, W₁₄₋₂′ or W₁₄₋₂″ in the preceding writtendescription and FIGS.) defines the second portion L₁₄₋₂′″ of the lengthL₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″ to form a head portion 32′″, a neckportion 34′″ and a shoulder portion 36′″. The head portion 32′″ extendsaway from the lower edge 30 _(LE)′″ of the substantially flexible bodyportion 30′″ and may be defined by a non-constant width (see, assimilarly described, e.g., reference numerals W₃₂, W₃₂′ or W₃₂″ in thepreceding written description and FIGS.). The neck portion 34′″ extendsaway from the head portion 32′″ and may be defined by a non-constantwidth (see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals W₃₄, W₃₄′or W₃₄″ in the preceding written description and FIGS.). The shoulderportion 36′″ extends away from the neck portion 34′″ and may be definedby a non-constant width (see, as similarly described, e.g., referencenumerals W₃₆, W₃₆′ or W₃₆″ in the preceding written description andFIGS.).

The non-constant width (see, as similarly described, e.g., referencenumerals W₃₆, W₃₆′ or W₃₆″ in the preceding written description andFIGS.) of the shoulder portion 36′″ may be greater than the non-constantwidth (see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals W₃₂, W₃₂′or W₃₂″ in the preceding written description and FIGS.) of the headportion 32′″, and, the non-constant width (see, as similarly described,e.g., reference numerals W₃₂, W₃₂′ or W₃₂″ of the head portion 32″ inthe preceding written description and FIGS.) may be greater than thenon-constant width (see, as similarly described, e.g., referencenumerals W₃₄, W₃₄′ or W₃₄″ in the preceding written description andFIGS.) of the neck portion 34′″. The non-constant widths of the headportion 32′″, the neck portion 34′″ and the shoulder portion 36′″collectively defines the second, non-constant width (see, as similarlydescribed, e.g., reference numerals W₁₄₋₂, W₁₄₋₂′ or W₁₄₋₂″ in thepreceding written description and FIGS.) extending along the secondportion L₁₄₋₂′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″.

Unlike the exemplary spine portions 14, 14′ described above at FIGS. 7-9and 7′-9′, the substantially flexible body portion 30′″ of the spineportion 14′″ does not define a plurality of vertically-aligned passages(see, e.g., reference numerals 38 and 38′) for removably-connecting thespine portion 14′″ to a load-interfacing portion (see, e.g., referencenumerals 12 and 12′); rather, the spine portion 14′″ integrally includesa first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ extending diagonally away fromthe upper edge 30 _(UE)′″ of the substantially flexible body portion30′″ of the spine portion 14′″ and a second flexible finger portion 25c′″ extending diagonally away from the upper edge 30 _(UE)′″ of thesubstantially flexible body portion 30′″ of the spine portion 14′″ (asdescribed above, substantially equivalent structure defining aload-interfacing portion is provided by the first flexible fingerportion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ areintegrally connected to (or integrally extending from) the spine portion14′″). The first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c′″ may divergently diagonally extend from the upperedge 30 _(UE)′″ of the substantially flexible body portion 30′″ of thespine portion 14′″ at an angle θ₂₅′″. Furthermore, each of the firstflexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c′″ may be defined by a thickness substantially equal to the thickness(see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals T₃₀, T₃₀′ or T₃₀″in the preceding written description and FIGS.) extending between therear surface 30 a′″ and the front surface 30 b′″ of the substantiallyflexible body portion 30′″ of the spine portion 14′″. The thickness(see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals T₃₀, T₃₀′ or T₃₀″in the preceding written description and FIGS.) of the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ maybe selectively sized in order to permit each of the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ tobend, imparting a spring force to a load portion L (see, e.g., FIG. 15)when the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c′″ are removably-interfaced with the load portion L(as similarly seen in, e.g., FIGS. 15-16). Yet even further, the firstflexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25c′″ may define a third portion L₁₄₋₃′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of the spineportion 14′″ that extends away from the first portion L₁₄₋₁′″ of thelength L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″.

As described above, the subassembly 75′″ may be a portion of the carriersystem 10 that may be removably-joined to the load portion L for formingthe assembly 50. In an example, the carrier system 10 (including thesubassembly 75′) is removably-joined to the load portion L by inserting:(1) the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ of the spine portion 14′″into a first passage L_(P1) formed by the load portion L and (2) thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c′″ of the spine portion 14′″ into asecond passage L_(P2) formed by the load portion L. In an example, whenthe load portion L is a backpack, rucksack or the like, the firstpassage L_(P1) and the second passage L_(P2) formed by the load portionL may be passages formed in respective shoulder straps L_(S) of thebackpack or rucksack.

The spine portion 14′″ generally includes a lower portion 14 a′″, anintermediate portion 14 b′″ and an upper portion 14 c′″. Theintermediate portion 14 b′″ is located between the lower portion 14 a′″and the upper portion 14 c′″.

As seen in FIG. 24 or 25, the subassembly 75′″ is generally defined by aconnection of the spine portion 14′ to the cradle portion 16/16″. In anexample, the lower portion 14 a′″ of the spine portion 14′″ isnon-removably-coupled to and free-floatingly-disposed within the cavity52′″ formed by the cradle portion 16″. In order to permit thefree-floating arrangement of the spine portion 14′″ relative the cradleportion 16/16″, the substantially constant spacing extending between theopposing rear surfaces 40 a′″ of the base portion 41′″ of each of thefirst cradle portion half (see, as similarly described, e.g., referencenumerals 16 a/16 a″ in the preceding written description and FIGS.) andthe second cradle portion half (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals 16 b/16 b″ in the preceding written description andFIGS.) is greater than the thickness (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals T₃₀, T₃₀′ or T₃₀″ in the preceding writtendescription and FIGS.) extending between the rear surface 30 a′″ and thefront surface 30 b′″ of the spine portion 14′″.

Access to the cavity 52′″ is permitted by an upper opening 54′″ formedby the cradle portion 16/16″. In an example, the upper opening 54′″ isdefined by: (1) the upper edge 40 _(UE)′″ of the substantially rigidbody portion 40′″ defined by the base portion 41′″ of each of the firstcradle portion half (see, as similarly described, e.g., referencenumerals 16 a/16 a″ in the preceding written description and FIGS.) andthe second cradle portion half (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals 16 b/16 b″ in the preceding written description andFIGS.) and (2) a portion of the upper arcuate surface segment (see, assimilarly described, e.g., reference numerals 46 a/46 a″ in thepreceding written description and FIGS.) of each of the first guidemember (see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals 42 a/42 a″in the preceding written description and FIGS.) and the second guidemember (see, as similarly described, e.g., reference numerals 42 b/42 b″in the preceding written description and FIGS.) that extends from theupper edge 40 _(UE)′″.

The spine portion 14′″ may comprise any desirable material. In someinstances, the spine portion 14′″ may include plastic. In otherexamples, the spine portion 14′″ may include metal. In yet otherexamples, the spine portion 14′ may include plastic and metal (e.g., thefirst portion L₁₄₋₁′″ and the second portion L₁₄₋₂″ of the length L₁₄′″of the spine portion 14′″ may include plastic and the third portionL₁₄₋₃′″ defining the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the secondflexible finger portion 25 c′″ may include metal that imparts a springforce; conversely, in some examples, the first portion L₁₄₋₁″ and thesecond portion L₁₄₋₂′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of the spine portion 14′″ mayinclude metal and the third portion L₁₄₋₃″ defining the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ mayinclude plastic that imparts a spring force).

Each of the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c′″ may include at least one first passage 57′″extending through the thickness (see, as similarly described, e.g.,reference numerals T₃₀, T₃₀′ or T₃₀″ in the preceding writtendescription and FIGS.) of each of the first flexible finger portion 25b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′. The at least one firstpassage 57′ may provide any desirable number of functions; in anexample, the at least one first passage 57′″ may decrease the weight ofeach of the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c′″ while permitting each of the first flexible fingerportion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ to have anincreased bendability as a result of the absence of material in theregions of the at least one first passage 57′″ formed by each of thefirst flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible fingerportion 25 c′″. In another example, the at least one first passage 57′″may provide a connection point for connecting each of the first flexiblefinger portion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″ toanother object (e.g., a load distribution assembly 18 arranged over ashoulder region S of a user U as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 26A-26B byinserting a connecting belt 20 there-through).

Furthermore, as seen in FIG. 24 or 25, substantially flexible bodyportion 30′″ may define at least one second passage 59′″. The at leastone second passage 59′″ may include a plurality of second passages 59′″arranged along one or more of the first portion L₁₄₋₁′, the secondportion L₁₄₋₂′″ and the third portion L₁₄₋₃′″ of the length L₁₄′″ of thespine portion 14′″. The at least one second passage 59′″ may provide anydesirable number of functions; in an example, the at least one secondpassage 59′″ may decrease the weight of the spine portion 14′″ whilepermitting each of the first flexible finger portion 25 b′″ and thesecond flexible finger portion 25 c′″ to have an increased bendabilityas a result of the absence of material in the regions of the at leastone first passage 57′″ formed by each of the first flexible fingerportion 25 b′″ and the second flexible finger portion 25 c′″. The atleast one second passage 59′″ may include any desirable geometry suchas, for example, a circular geometry (see, e.g., FIG. 24), a rectangularor square geometry (see, e.g., FIG. 25) or any combination thereof.

Although a plurality of exemplary subassemblies 75, 75′ 75″, 75′″ havebeen described above to include respective combinations of an exemplaryspine portion and an exemplary cradle portion at reference numerals 14 &16, 14′ & 16′, 14″ & 16″ and 14′″ & 16/16″, the respective combinationof a particular spine portion is not limited to a particular cradleportion as shown and described above. For example, any of the spineportions 14, 14′, 14″, 14′″ may be interfaced with any of the cradleportions 16, 16′, 16″. Accordingly, in some instances, if, for example,any of the spine portions 14, 14″, 14′″ were formed from a bendablematerial, the spine portion 14, 14″, 14′″ may be interfaced with thecradle portion 16′(see, e.g., FIGS. 10′-12′) such that the spine portion14, 14″, 14′″ may bend about the cradle portion 16′ in a substantiallysimilar manner as the spine portion 14′.

Referring to FIGS. 26A-26B, another view of the exemplary subassembly75″ including the spine portion 14″ is shown. Unlike the substantiallysimilar view of the subassembly 75″ including the spine portion 14″ ofFIG. 22, the view of the subassembly 75″ including the spine portion 14″of FIGS. 26A-26B is shown to include a load distribution assembly 18connected to each flexible finger portion 25 b″, 25 c″ by a connectingbelt 20. As seen in FIG. 26A, the connecting belt 20 is passed throughthe at least one passage 57″ extending through the thickness T₃₀″ ofeach of the first flexible finger portion 25 b″ and the second flexiblefinger portion 25 c″ and through openings (not shown but substantiallysimilar to reference numeral 19 in FIG. 1) for connecting the loaddistribution assembly 18 to each flexible finger portion 25 b″, 25 c″.

As seen in FIG. 26B, the load distribution assembly 18 attached to eachof the flexible finger portion 25 b″, 25 c″ is, for example, sized forarrangement over a shoulder S of the torso T of the user U. Furthermore,the load distribution assembly 18 may similarly be attached to each ofthe flexible finger portion 25 b′″, 25 c′″ of the spine portion 14′″ byway of the at least one passage 57′″.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims. Forexample, the actions recited in the claims can be performed in adifferent order and still achieve desirable results.

What is claimed is:
 1. A subassembly, comprising: a cradle portiondefining a cavity; and a spine portion including a lower portion, anintermediate portion and an upper portion located between the lowerportion and the upper portion, wherein the lower portion of the spineextends into the cavity by way of an opening formed by the cradleportion, wherein the lower portion of the spine is coupled to andfloatingly-disposed within the cavity of the cradle portion, wherein theintermediate portion and the upper portion of the spine portion areconnected to a load-interfacing portion.
 2. The subassembly of claim 1,wherein the cradle portion includes: a first cradle portion half joinedto a second cradle portion half, wherein each of the first cradleportion half and the second cradle portion half includes a substantiallyrigid body portion having a base portion and a pair of guide membersextending from the base portion, wherein the pair of guide membersincludes a first guide member and a second guide member arranged in aspaced-apart relationship defining a non-constant spacing that definesthe cavity.
 3. The subassembly of claim 2, wherein each of the firstcradle portion half and the second cradle portion half is defined by arear surface, a front surface, a lower edge, an upper edge, a first sideedge and a second side edge, wherein the first guide member extends awayfrom the base portion along the first side edge, wherein the secondguide member extends away from the base portion along the second sideedge, wherein the cavity is further defined by a substantially constantspacing extending between the rear surface of the first cradle portionhalf and the rear surface of the second cradle portion half.
 4. Thesubassembly of claim 3, wherein the substantially rigid body portion isdefined by a thickness extending between the rear surface and the frontsurface, wherein the thickness is defined by a first thickness portionand a second thickness portion, wherein the second thickness portion isgreater than the first thickness portion, wherein the first thicknessportion is defined by the base portion, wherein the second thicknessportion is defined by each of the first guide member and the secondguide member extending away from the base portion.
 5. The subassembly ofclaim 3, wherein the substantially rigid body portion is defined by athickness extending between the rear surface and the front surface,wherein the thickness is defined by a first thickness portion, a secondthickness portion and a third thickness portion, wherein the secondthickness portion is greater than the first thickness portion, whereinthe third thickness portion is greater than the second thicknessportion, wherein the first thickness portion is defined by the baseportion, wherein the second thickness portion defines a pair of opposingintermediate step portions arranged respectively between the baseportion and each of the first guide member and the second guide member,wherein the third thickness portion is defined by each of the firstguide member and the second guide member extending away from the baseportion, wherein an inner side surface of each intermediate step portiondefines a substantially constant gap or spacing therebetween to define asubstantially linear guide channel for the spine portion.
 6. Thesubassembly of claim 3, wherein each of the first guide member and thesecond guide member include an outer side surface and an inner sidesurface, wherein the inner side surface of each of the first guidemember and the second guide member is defined by: an upper arcuatesurface segment extending from the upper edge, a lower arcuate surfacesegment extending from the lower edge, and a substantially linearsurface segment connecting the upper arcuate surface segment to thelower arcuate surface segment.
 7. The subassembly of claim 6, whereinthe first guide member and the second guide member are arranged in anopposing, spaced apart relationship, converging at an angle or arrangedin a substantially parallel relationship as the first guide member andthe second guide member extend from the lower edge toward the upper edgeto define the non-constant spacing between the inner side surface ofeach of the first guide member and the second guide member.
 8. Thesubassembly of claim 7, wherein the non-constant spacing is defined by:a first non-constant spacing defined by a spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the upper arcuate surface segment of each of the firstguide member and the second guide member, a second non-constant spacingdefined by a spaced-apart, opposing relationship of the substantiallylinear surface segment of each of the first guide member and the secondguide member and a third non-constant spacing defined by a spaced-apart,opposing relationship of the substantially linear surface segment ofeach of the first guide member and the second guide member, wherein thesecond non-constant spacing is greater than third non-constant spacing,wherein the third non-constant spacing is greater than the firstnon-constant spacing.
 9. The subassembly of claim 8, wherein the openingis defined by the upper edge of the substantially rigid body portiondefined by the base portion of each of the first cradle portion half andthe second cradle portion half and a portion of the upper arcuatesurface segment of each of the first guide member and the second guidemember that extends from the upper edge.
 10. The subassembly of claim 9,wherein the opening is defined by a dimension substantially equal to thefirst non-constant spacing defined by the spaced-apart, opposingrelationship of the upper arcuate surface segment of each of the firstguide member and the second guide member, wherein the first non-constantspacing is less than a width dimension defined by a head portion of theof the spine portion to prevent the head portion of the spine portion tobe removed from the cavity, wherein the first non-constant spacing isless than a width dimension defined by a shoulder portion of the of thespine portion to prevent the shoulder portion of the spine portion to beinserted into the cavity, wherein the first non-constant spacing isgreater than a width dimension defined by a neck portion of the of thespine portion to permit the neck portion of the spine portion to bemovably-disposed within the opening.
 11. The subassembly of claim 7,wherein at least a portion of each upper arcuate surface segment isfurther defined by: a first roller member rotatably-disposed between thebase portion of each of the first cradle portion half and the secondcradle portion half and opposite the first guide member proximate theupper edge of the substantially rigid body portion; and a second rollermember rotatably-disposed between the base portion of each of the firstcradle portion half and the second cradle portion half and opposite thesecond guide member proximate the upper edge of the substantially rigidbody portion.
 12. The subassembly of claim 1, wherein the intermediateportion of the spine portion is removably-connected a substantiallyrigid body of the load-interfacing portion by arranging the intermediateportion of the spine portion within at least one passage formed by thesubstantially rigid body portion.
 13. The subassembly of claim 1,wherein the upper portion of the spine portion is removably-connected toa substantially rigid body of the load interfacing portion, wherein thespine portion defines a plurality of vertically-aligned passages,wherein each of the plurality of vertically-aligned passages is sizedfor receiving at least one male portion of a plurality ofvertically-aligned male portions extending from the substantially rigidbody portion of the load-interfacing portion for removably-connectingthe spine portion to the load-interfacing portion for defining avertical adjustment system that permits the spine to beremovably-connected to the substantially rigid body portion of theload-interfacing portion in a selectively-fixed vertical orientation ofa plurality of vertically-fixed orientations.
 14. The subassembly ofclaim 13, wherein the load interfacing portion further includes asubstantially flexible portion connected to the substantially rigidbody, wherein the substantially flexible portion includes a baseportion, a first flexible finger portion extending from the baseportion, and a second flexible finger portion extending from the baseportion.
 15. The subassembly of claim 14, wherein the first flexiblefinger portion extends substantially diagonally away from the baseportion, wherein the second flexible finger portion extendssubstantially diagonally away from the base portion, wherein the firstflexible finger portion and the second flexible finger portiondivergently extend from an upper edge of the base portion of thesubstantially flexible portion at an angle thereby defining thesubstantially flexible portion to have a V-shaped geometry.
 16. Thesubassembly of claim 1, further comprising a vertical adjustment systemconnected to the cradle portion, wherein the vertical adjustment systemincludes: a rail portion; and a clamping portion that isslidably-adjustable along the rail portion.
 17. The subassembly of claim16, the rail portion is fixed to the cradle portion, wherein theclamping portion is fixed to the spine portion.
 18. The subassembly ofclaim 1, wherein the load interfacing portion further includes a firstflexible finger portion integrally connected to and extending away fromthe upper edge of the substantially flexible body portion of the spineportion, and a second flexible finger portion integrally connected toand extending away from the upper edge of the substantially flexiblebody portion of the spine portion.
 19. The subassembly of claim 18,wherein the first flexible finger portion extends substantiallydiagonally away from the upper edge of the substantially flexible bodyportion of the spine portion, wherein the second flexible finger portionextends substantially diagonally away from the upper edge of thesubstantially flexible body portion of the spine portion, wherein thefirst flexible finger portion and the second flexible finger portiondivergently extend from the upper edge of the substantially flexiblebody portion of the spine portion at an angle.
 20. A carrier system,comprising: the subassembly of claim 1; and a belt connected to thecradle portion of the subassembly of claim
 1. 21. The carrier system ofclaim 20, further comprising: a load distribution assembly connected tothe belt, wherein the belt is indirectly connected to the cradle portionof the subassembly of claim 1 by way of the load distribution assembly.22. The carrier system of claim 21, further comprising a verticaladjustment system including: a rail portion; and a clamping portion thatis slidably-adjustable along the rail portion.
 23. The carrier system ofclaim 22, the rail portion is fixed to the load distribution assembly,wherein the clamping portion is fixed to the cradle portion.
 24. Anassembly, comprising: the subassembly of claim 1; a load portionconnected to the load-interfacing portion of the subassembly of claim 1;and a belt connected to the cradle portion of the subassembly ofclaim
 1. 25. The assembly of claim 24, further comprising: a loaddistribution assembly connected to the belt, wherein the belt isindirectly connected to the cradle portion by way of the loaddistribution assembly.
 26. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the loadportion is a backpack removably-joined to the load interfacing portionof the subassembly of claim 1, wherein the backpack includes a firstshoulder strap and a second shoulder strap, wherein the load interfacingportion of the subassembly of claim 1 is disposed with a first passageformed by the first shoulder strap of the load portion and a secondpassage formed by the second shoulder strap of the load portion.
 27. Theassembly of claim 24, further comprising a vertical adjustment systemincluding: a rail portion; and a clamping portion that isslidably-adjustable along the rail portion.
 28. The assembly of claim27, the rail portion is fixed to the load distribution assembly, whereinthe clamping portion is fixed to the cradle portion.